Feature Automotive supply chain
Composite components drive advances in automotive design
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is helping OEMs to meet the demands for automotive friction control and manufacturing performance with its range of innovative composite components
chassis components helps to bring about savings in fuel and meeting carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction tar- gets. NORGLIDE composite bearings and RENCOL tolerance rings allow the benefits of increasing efficiencies of individual components to be realised by using the materials to help improve friction control and reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
T
he global automotive market is putting increasing demands on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to produce high-perfor- mance parts that are affordable and long-lasting. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is helping OEMs meet these demands with its range of innovative NORGLIDE composite bearings and RENCOL tolerance rings.
Suitable for powertrain, chassis, and interior and exterior vehicle applica- tions, Saint-Gobain’s composite bear- ings and tolerance rings are said to optimise component manufacturing and driving performance and comfort for the end-consumer.
The trend towards increasing effi- ciencies within the powertrain and
Saint-Gobain’s innovative solutions are ideal for power- train, chassis, inte- rior and exterior vehicle applica- tions, optimising assembly process and comfort for the end-users
Controlled friction values NORGLIDE composite bearings incor- porate a thick layer of self-lubricating liner made from polytetrafluoroethyl- ene (PTFE), offering controlled friction values that perform under axial and radial stress to improve NVH reduction. The spring-like qualities of RENCOL
tolerance rings ensure a tight fit between bearings, shafts and housing. Protrusions running along the circum- ference of RENCOL tolerance rings effi- ciently absorb NVH transmitted through mechanical joints within a vehicle’s chassis and powertrain.
Vehicle applications
NORGLIDE compos- ite bearings in the dual mass flywheel help to dampen tor- sional vibrations from the engine, enhancing driving experience
Gripping new high-profile CAM solution O
Saint-Gobain recently demonstrated a steering yoke with NORGLIDE com- posite bearings. By using a thick layer of PTFE, NORGLIDE composite bear- ings reduce friction in the steering yoke, improving steering feel and
response.This enhances a motorist’s ability to feel the road surface and ulti- mately improves driving experience. Saint-Gobain has also shown a car seat armrest fitted with RENCOL toler- ance rings to enhance torque control. By incorporating a certain amount of friction, arm rests stay in place and are prevented from falling down. The con- trolled friction ensures a quality feel and consumer perception of perfor- mance and luxury.
By incorporating NORGLIDE com- posite bearings, dual mass flywheels dampen the vibrations from a car’s engine and prevent vibrations from reaching the gearbox. This results in a more comfortable driving experience for motorists.
pen Mind has now developed a package of machining and automation strategies within its hyperMILL package specifically for the requirements of tyre moulding. The new hyperMILL tyre module has been developed to include functions that allow for moulds and models to be produced significantly faster and more efficiently.
With the new hyperMILL tyre module characteristic geometries can be defined as features and standard machining sequences that are saved to a macro database.
The milling strategies for knifecuts and stone ejectors as well as other tyre production details, can thus be programmed faster as recurring machining sequences. The recurring arrangement of identical tyre sections is often described by way of a ‘tyre clock’. hyperMILL uses this information for efficient programming. The user assigns the numbers of the individual pitches to the machining programs for this purpose, so that each pitch is programmed only once. The generated program is copied to the corresponding tyre mould segments on the basis of the pitch number. From this, the CAM software generates the complete segments automatically and toolpaths that go beyond the segment limit will be adjusted automatically by hyperMILL.
The machining of the complex geometries in tread patterns is implemented by the automation technology in hyperMILL in such a way that all tool movements are calculated as efficiently as possible. Open Mind Technologies
T: 01869 290003 14
www.openmind-tech.com Enter 225
By incorporating PTFE in its NOR- GLIDE composite bearing, Saint- Gobain is able to control torque in hinges to exact specifications. NOR- GLIDE composite bearings can be used on metal frames without compromis- ing painting operations.
“Automotive OEMs are looking for custom designed, innovative compo- nents that improve efficiency and offer long-lasting durability. Saint-Gobain is meeting OEM needs while ensuring improved driver comfort and enjoy- ment,” says Chris Needes, global market manager automotive chassis and powertrain, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics T: 0117 9381700
www.bearings.saint-gobain.com Enter 204
JUNE 2012 Automation
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