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Engine mounts are an integral part of the vehicle that helps in reducing the vibrations generated from the engine. Engine mounts require a simple yet complicated amalgamation of two very different materials, steel and rubber. Proper adhesion between the two is required to prevent any part failure. Therefore, it becomes important that a comprehensive study is done to understand the mating phenomenon of both. A good linking between rubber and metal substrate is governed by surface pretreatment. Various methodologies such as mechanical and chemical are adopted for the same. This paper aims to present a comparative study as to which surface pretreatment has an edge over other techniques in terms of separation force required to break the bonding between the two parts. The study also presents a cost comparison between the techniques so that the best possible technique can be put to use in the commercial vehicle industry.

Developed to cut down on maintenance costs and increase the earning power of the vehicle, this family of suspensions provides for improved vehicular behavior - items such as stability, braking, cornering, and overall ride. The suspensions utilize a principle of providing a cushioned variable rate ride through the use of molded rubber springs. Floating walking beams distribute weight equally on both axles in the case of tandems. The axles are positively located by upper wishbones and lower torque rods. The parallelogram thus formed prevents windup and axle hop. The correct use of metals shows a substantial weight saving in the entire model range.

This paper provides a review of the solubility parameter theory and its application to predicting elastomer/fluid compatibility. Emphasis is placed on describing the theory and translating the results of swell data into a more easily understood method than has previously been used. Numerous solubility parameters arc presented as well as swell test details. The swell data results are then used to determine solubility parameters which, upon comparison with other fluid or elastomer solubility parameters, determine compatibility. This procedure is especially important because it enables the results of swell tests to be used to identify elastomer/fluid compatibility of molecularly complex fluid additives or special elastomer mixtures.

Abstract The demand for contactless, rapid manufacturing has increased over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additive manufacturing (AM), a type of rapid manufacturing, is a computer-based system that precisely manufactures products. It proves to be a faster, cheaper, and more efficient production system when integrated with cloud-based manufacturing (CBM). Similarly, the need for semiconductors has grown exponentially over the last five years. Several companies could not keep up with the increasing demand for many reasons. One of the main reasons is the lack of a workforce due to the COVID-19 protocols. This article proposes a novel technique to manufacture semiconductor chips in a fast-paced manner. An algorithm is integrated with cloud, machine vision, sensors, and email access to monitor with live feedback and correct the manufacturing in case of an anomaly.

Increased responsibility is currently being placed on vehicle component manufacturers to certify products as an integral part of sub-system assemblies. In the guest for quality, the current trend in structural fatigue testing is to evaluate the performance of assemblies using tests which more closely simulate the actual part orientation and loading conditions. This dictates multidimension test systems with real time system performance. This paper presents a machine that can be used to apply multi-axial loads to bushings normally used in vehicle control arm assemblies. Several unique features of the mechanical aspect of the test system are explained and several different control schemes are presented.

This paper describes a practical and efficient approach for determining complete transient, as well as steady state response of tractor-trailer air brake systems by recording pushrod displacement and air brake service line pressure as a function to time. The test hardware utilizes easy to fabricate “clip on” transducers to measure pushrod stroke length. Data acquisition is via LABVIEW‚. All transducers are easy to temporarily affix to any tractor- trailer and require no alteration to the vehicle. A complete system check takes less time than manually measuring pushrod stroke as required under FMCSA. This system with one treadle application and release gives digital timing and displacement history of all brakes. Useful information includes: application and release profiles (pushrod velocity), shoe compliance upon seating and crack pressure release points for both tractor and trailer relay valves.

We have developed a diaphragm which has low gas permeability and is used in the accumulator for the automotive hydraulic brake system, adopting the sandwich structure of rubber and resin films. Improvement of the diaphragm's gas permeability is absolutely necessary to achieve a maintenance-free and also light-weight and small-sized accumulator used for the automotive hydraulic brake system. We will discuss the development of the new resin films and investigation of the design factors of the accumulator focusing on the low gas permeability and durability under low temperature conditions.

In a diaphragm used for an accumulator, the relationship between design factors and durability in low temperature is discussed from the occurrence of buckling phenomenon through the observation results. The durability of the diaphragm which has a sandwich structure of rubber and resin films, is greatly influenced by the buckling phenomenon which occurs during deformation of the diaphragm when used for an accumulator in low temperature condition.

Although recent developments in tire puncture-proofing media have overcome prior problems associated with durability, all such materials prejudice vehicle ride to some degree when compared with air inflation. This is particularly undesirable in many off-road applications where flat-proofing of low-pressure tires is a necessity. This paper describes the development and performance characteristics of a new 5-Durometer elastomeric polymer system with significantly improved ride, as well as recent work investigating the protective mechanism of a so-called “champagne-bubble effect” in limiting heat build-up in recently-developed water-cured urethane tire fill systems.

A SURVEY of 30 typical bus operating companies was made by the author to get a representative opinion regarding the accessibility of present-day buses for servicing and maintenance. After pointing out the large number of complaints about inaccessibility that these companies had, he discusses their needs under the following classification: 1. Accessibility for nightly service operations. 2. Accessibility for scheduled inspection, testing, and adjustment work. 3. Accessibility for removal of complete units. 4. Accessibility within major units themselves.

One of the basic principles in tire compounding, is to base all compounds on 100 parts (by weight) of rubber hydrocarbon, and relate the addition of all other compounding ingredients to this base of 100-RHC. Regarding tread compounds for agricultural tires, major requirements of a rear tractor tire tread are that it have resistance to abrasion (wear), cleat-tearing, and weathering. With the trend towards larger and higher horsepower tractors, the service-performance demands on tractor tires have increased, necessitating certain design, construction, and compound changes. If this trend continues, further changes will be required, and it is possible that some of the larger tractor tires of the future will more closely approach the present off-the-road type tire.

Numerous government studies have documented the need for improvement in the condition of heavy vehicle air brake systems. There is an apparent lack of good data indicating the condition of the air brake system on heavy trucks in the United States. Until the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted its heavy truck inspection project, there was no database which could accurately portray the type and size of braking components used, the adjustment level, and the condition of these braking components. A careful analysis of the 1520 five-axle heavy trucks which the NTSB inspected provided needed insight into a severe problem. These inspections also demonstrated that current state truck inspections are not always able to identify these brake problems. There is a major discrepancy between the figures the states submit on the condition of air brakes compared to what the NTSB found.

In this work the role of the squeeze motion, which is the relative radial motion between the seal lip and the shaft, as a part of the pumping mechanisms of the elastomeric radial lip seal has been studied. Six operational factors; shaft speed, fluid temperature, dynamic runout, seal wear track width, rubber material and shaft surface roughness have been considered. The results reveal that the shaft runout and the shaft speed are the most important influential factors on the squeeze pump rate. However, the squeeze pump rate is less than 10% of the total pump rate of the seal. Therefore, the squeeze pumping is not a dominant pumping mechanism.

NVH is gaining importance in the quality perception of off-highway machine performance and operator comfort. Booming noise, a low frequency NVH phenomenon, can be a significant sound issue in an off-highway machine. In order to increase operator comfort by decreasing the noise levels and noise annoyance, a tuned mass damper (TMD) was added to the resonating panel to suppress the booming. Operational deflection shapes (ODS) and experimental modal analysis (EMA) were performed to identify the resonating panels, a damper was tuned in the lab and on the machine to the specific frequency, machine operational tests were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the damper to deal with booming noise.

The compliance provided by the spring in a vehicle suspension system is vital to reduce dynamic inputs from loads and surface irregularities. A liquid compression spring device has been developed as an alternative to mechanical, oil/pneumatic and rubber types. Liquid springs exhibit a desirable combination of simplicity, safety, compact size and excellent dynamic response and ease of servicing.

Technical highlights from Geneva The high-profile event combined new technology, fresh design, debuts of major production models, and styling concepts in a compact venue. North American technology trends Every year in the May issue, Automotive Engineering International explores the major technology trends defining the auotmotive industry in North America. In June, it will do the same Europe, and in August Asia. Internal-combustion engineering Despite a century of refinement, the gasoline engine still has untapped potential, say industry executives. Body building The quest for light, quieter, and safer cars and light trucks influences the design and engineering of most vehicle areas--body not excluded. Chassis integration keeps the rubber on the road U.S. OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are collaborating to deliver the latest technology for performance and safety, but integration stays in-house.

Throwing their weight around Vehicle mass took a back seat to aesthetics, functionality, and performance when automaker executives discussed the merits of their new products at the North American International Auto Show. Safety drives sensor growth New semiconductor technologies provide more data in a wide range of systems. Wireless gains support Wi-Fi is seen as the link between consumer electronics and cars. Supply chain migration As automakers ramp up operations in China, suppliers must consider the challenges as well as the opportunities of supporting them there. Automakers focus on soft money The huge surge in software makes it a focus for cost cutting. Chevrolet Corvette: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2005. The sixth-generation car delivers even more performance value than its predecessor, and adds greater comfort and convenience into the mix.

In order to predict the fatigue life of thrust rod heavy duty commercial vehicle balanced suspension, based on the continuum mechanics theory, the fatigue life prediction model of rubber with equivalent effect as damage parameter is established. Based on the equivalent stress and fatigue cumulative damage theory, the fatigue damage evolution equation of rubber material expressed by stress is derived by using the strain energy function. The general fatigue life model is established by using the maximum logarithmic principal strain as the damage parameter. The finite element model of the thrust rod is established, and the stress distribution of the spherical hinge rubber layer and the easy damage area are analyzed. Based on the equivalent stress calculation results and the axial tension stress and strain data of the rubber material, the accuracy of the results of the finite element calculation is verified.

The National Transportation Safety Board recently inspected 1,520 combination vehicles and found a significant percentage to have brake defects serious enough to put the vehicles out of service. In response to Congressional concern, ATA's Trucking Research Institute is studying the causes and suggesting solutions to the brake defect problem. This paper outlines the research and reports some of the insights gained from evaluating inspection data.

Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. uses Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to support many organization areas such as Tire Development, Research, Diversified Products, Manufacturing, Facilities Engineering, etc. This paper will focus on those areas which support the Tire Development process with particular emphasis on Off-Highway and Tractor tires. Most of the techniques are also being applied to support our other tire lines.