Cylindrical grinding on driveshafts and transmission shafts has always been particularly demanding, as the parts feature a wide range of geometric details that are machined with high precision in the grinding machine. With the rapid pace of technological development in the automotive industry, which keeps increasing the functional density of many components, there are more demands than ever on the design of grinding machines today. Users require highly customized machines that can perform multiple grinding operations, including combined internal and external grinding.
car manufacturing
Lightweight construction in the automotive industry is a fight for every pound. Every single part is investigated for whether it could be made even lighter. This is typically accomplished by using new materials of changing part geometries. Laser welding offers a surprisingly simple strategy, e.g. by enabling a stable connection between differential gear and ring gear. This saves screw connections and reduces weight by 1.2 kg – quite an accomplishment by the standards of the field.
CVT transmissions are becoming increasingly popular in the American and Asian markets. The technology improves driving comfort as the car shifts gears more smoothly. A critical part of manufacturing these transmissions is the creation of the CVT components like shafts and disks (“pulleys”) that need to be hard machined with extreme precision– all as part of a multi-stage process that uses various turning centers and grinding machines.
The automotive world is constantly changing and improving. The industry strives to create vehicles with better fuel economy, while also increasing safety and reliability.
The introduction of hybrid and electric alternatives are becoming more popular, and in the years to come we will see these options continue to grow. With this change, certain components of today’s gas driven engines will be replaced with new components and technologies.
Electro-chemical machining (ECM) is a fascinating production method, because the technology involves virtually no workpiece contact: A direct current, or pulse, is used to polarize the workpiece positively, to create an anode, and the tool negatively, for the cathode. An electrolyte solution flows between the two, and metal ions detach from the workpiece. The components are not exposed to any mechanical or thermal stress during the process.
Increasing cost pressure, high demands on part quality and frequent change of batches – the manufacturing of car brake discs is a difficult field. Particularly in the spare parts market, where users must request individual machining solutions that can be retooled for new workpieces without long downtimes.