A racecar fitted with a prototype rear suspension will compete in the Sports Car Club of America's 2015 season as a proof-of-concept demonstrator for using thermoplastic composite suspension components in future light-duty vehicle production applications.
Among the new products WABCO displayed at the IAA Hanover CV Show was an electrically driven compressor for heavy duty air-braking systems and a new energy saving engine driven compressor.
Grede is developing lightweight chassis, powertrain, and drivetrain components—including safety-critical systems—for several heavy-equipment manufacturers using a patented ductile iron alloy called SiboDur.
Turning circle greatly improved using a model implemented in MapleSim, holding out promise for better active-tilting designs that can improve vehicle maneuverability in congested cities.
A brake pedal made from fiber-reinforced plastics debuts on a MY2014 sports car, and ZF's CEO says this application underscores the broad possibilities for lightweight materials.
A new SAE International book narrates the history of heavy-duty wheeled vehicles and presents the theory and calculations required to design them. Translated from Russian, the book summarizes the results of the authors’ academic research and experience, and presents innovative technical solutions used for electric and hydrostatic transmissions, steering systems, and active safety of these vehicles.
Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has launched the Bridgestone R244 all-position steer radial tire. The new tire meets the demands of dump trucks and concrete mixer truck fleets that spend a higher percentage of their miles in on-highway use.
Wheel rim components made of 3/4-in steel plate in diameters to 40 in (1016 mm) and larger for use on tractors and other off-highway vehicles are fabricated by Acme Metal Spinning. Available in quantities of five to a few hundred or more, these components are fabricated using Acme’s advanced metal spinning processes.
To achieve weight savings in vehicles, OEMs and component suppliers are increasingly using ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum, magnesium, plastics, and composites. One strategy is to develop components using a multi-material concept. Ashok Leyland researchers used this approach when developing a bimetal brake drum with cast-iron inner ring and aluminum outer shell.
Rick Phillips, Senior Director, Commercial and OTR Sales, for Yokohama Tire Corp., provides his thoughts on the company's first U.S. commercial tire plant, scheduled to open in October 2015, as well as what the market can expect in the coming years.
Webb Vortex brake drums from Webb Severe Duty are suitable for high frequency stopping applications such as refuse trucks and other fleets that carry heavy loads and make repeated stops throughout their daily operation.
Goodyear G731 MSA and G751 MSA tires for mixed-service applications enable construction, dump, cement mixers, and other fleets to travel across challenging surfaces.
Despite the burgeoning success of highly effective single platform modular solutions, hardware variation is not falling, warns BWI Group global technology executive Olivier Raynauld.