Alcoa's AVDC process wins Nissan award.

Alcoa, Pittsburgh, recently received a Global Innovation Award from Nissan Motor Company for its proprietary vacuum die casting process (AVDC) and alloys used on the GT-R, Nissan's new sports sedan.

The award was presented at the Nissan Global Supplier Awards ceremony held in Tokyo. It was accepted by Alcoa executives, including Kevin Kramer, president of the company's Wheel and Transportation Products division.

"We are honored that Alcoa's vacuum die casting process has been recognized by Nissan for technical innovation," he said. "The blending of this manufacturing process with advanced alloys enabled us to meet Nissan's performance requirements, particularly strength and deformation characteristics, while still keeping a high-performance body made of lightweight materials."

Nissan uses Alcoa's AVDC process in the production of the GT-R's aluminum inner-door and rear-seat structures. The die castings, produced at Alcoa's Soest, Germany, plant, offer weight savings of up to 35% over steel designs.

According to a press release issued by the company, Alcoa's AVDC process provides the ability to cast-in reinforcing ribs where enhanced strength is required and to include specific details to help consolidate parts and assemblies.

Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets. The company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries.