At SAE '98, TRW to Showcase Advanced Suspension Systems That Significantly Decrease Weight, Improve Performance
17 February 1998
At SAE '98, TRW to Showcase Advanced Suspension Systems That Significantly Decrease Weight, Improve Performance
DETROIT, Feb. 17 -- With an unmatched capability for
producing advanced suspension systems, TRW is providing automakers worldwide
with lightweight components that offer significant performance, economical,
environmental and safety improvements.
To highlight its unique lightweight products, TRW will display a variety
of linkage and suspension modules, systems and components at the 1998 SAE
International Congress & Exposition at Cobo Center here next week.
"Our integrated, lightweight suspension systems -- which can decrease
weight by at least 40 percent compared to steel -- can significantly improve
fuel economy, emissions, energy savings, driving safety and comfort," said
Clive Spackman, vice president of engineering, TRW Linkage & Suspension
Systems. "Realizing these remarkable benefits, several automakers have
incorporated TRW's innovative suspension systems into a variety of their
vehicles."
He said the new Porsche Boxster's rear axle and suspension module, for
example, features TRW's advanced aluminum longitudinal arms, control arms and
toe links. TRW's operations in Europe also are assisting Audi and other
automakers with the design of multi-link suspension systems that utilize
lightweight aluminum and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) components.
In order to produce a broad range of lightweight suspension systems, TRW
uses a variety of advanced materials, technologies and processes, including:
* FRP -- a material that is manufactured by the thermoplast injection die
casting method in multiple nest molds, and reduces weight, cost and noise
reduction;
* Thixoforming -- a unique process in which the raw material is heated up
to a temperature between solidification and a liquefied state and is pressed
into a form by a modified die casting unit, creating a low porosity structure
that is similar to aluminum casting materials;
* Aluminum forging -- a process in which material flow in the die
produces a tight structure of fibers, thus achieving a high integrity of the
structural parts; and
* Vacuum die casting -- an innovative process that produces parts with
low porosity structures that can be heat treated, resulting in parts with
excellent deformation features, time sufficient rigidities and tensile
strengths.
A full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering
capability, TRW's Linkage & Suspension Systems is a leading producer of
steering linkages, control arms, stabilizer links, radius rods and suspension
ball joints. TRW annually produces more than 40 million ball joints and is
the leading supplier of fiber-reinforced plastic stabilizer links (producing
more than 3 million a year). The company, which offers a variety of
innovative processing technologies, also is one of the largest manufacturers
of vacuum die-cast and thixoformed suspension components.
With 122 automotive locations in 23 countries, TRW Inc. is one
of the largest independent OEM automotive suppliers in the world. In 1997,
the company's automotive businesses recorded sales of $7 billion, nearly 65
percent of TRW's total $10.8 billion in sales. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, TRW
also provides advanced technology products and services for the space and
defense, and information technology markets worldwide.
SOURCE TRW Inc.
