DETROIT, March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on
the NYSE, today announced that its product engineers and research and
development engineers will present three papers on advancements in driveline
systems technologies at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2002 World
Congress, March 4-7, 2002. The papers include an analysis of axle system
dynamics, as it relates to noise vibration and harshness (NVH) issues; the
cost-effectiveness and viability of various different microalloy materials in
pitman arm forging; and the development of performance enhanced grease for
universal joints.
"This year, approximately 75 percent of our product sales will be based on
new, technology-based products introduced to the market since mid-1998," said
AAM Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Richard E. Dauch. "The research and
development function is critical to the future success of AAM. We are
committed to providing value to our customers through innovative,
technologically improved products and processes."
"AAM is focused on conducting R&D on the driveline system areas that are
critical to our customers and improving NVH, product durability, quality and
performance," said Daniel V. Sagady, P.E., vice president, Engineering and
Product Development. "We are pleased to share our findings with our
colleagues in the engineering community and automotive industry at the SAE
conference."
Highlights of the three AAM papers to be presented are listed below.
FEA Studies on Axle System Dynamics
Presented by: Zhaohui Sun, Mark N. Ranek & Dr. Glen Steyer
(March 7, 2001, 10:30 a.m., Cobo Hall - Room: D3-22/23)
Gear transmission noise in the driveline system has been a persistent and
recurring issue in the automotive industry. Over the years, gear quality has
improved significantly. However, the current trends in vehicle architecture
toward more NVH sensitive configurations and increasing consumer sensitivity
to NVH issues keep gear noise reduction on the front burner.
This paper presents FEA modeling techniques used in studying axle system
dynamics and the level of accuracy that can be achieved in predicting forced
system responses. Simulation methods play a key role in understanding system
dynamics in order to achieve system optimizations. It illustrates the method
of modeling axle systems by using building block FEA approach, the procedure
of model correlation and how the model can be used to conduct NVH design
study.
Microalloy Steel for Pitman Arm Forgings
Presented by: Jennifer Brown & James W. Coryell
(March 6, 2002, 3 p.m., Cobo Hall - Room: M3-31)
Driving down forging costs through elimination of the heat treat process
and its associated quality challenges is the focus of this study which
evaluated generation I and II microalloy material. The ideal material would
have excellent fatigue and impact properties for varying temperature
environments, with a minimal dependence on the forging process. With the
knowledge of microalloy pitman arms being used in Europe and the introduction
of a modified generation II microalloy material, AAM successfully validated
the generation II microalloy material.
This paper demonstrates the effect of different types of microalloy
material on the durability and processing of an existing pitman arm design.
The durability properties of a particular type of microalloy material (i.e.
impact toughness, impact ductility, programmed fatigue life and high load
fatigue life properties), were evaluated and compared to current production
conventional heat treated material.
Universal Joint Grease Development
Presented by: John Deharte & James W. Coryell
(March 5, 2002, 11 a.m., Cobo Hall - Room: D3-20/21)
Despite replacing lithium type greases with polyurea grease in the 1980s
in their universal joint applications, automotive companies found that in the
long-term, some infrequent incidents of thinning as well as blackening and
solidification (breakdown) occurred in the universal joints.
This paper demonstrates how significant performance improvements to a
universal joint can be realized by changing the grease. Specifying the best
grease for a specific application requires understanding the grease properties
required and using both laboratory ASTM testing and testing under
dynamic/environmental conditions. Several different types of greases (i.e.
calcium, lithium, lithium complex and polyurea), were evaluated and compared
to a current universal joint grease. The results showed that a particular
lithium complex grease provided the best results as seen during bench top and
environmental wear testing. Customer vehicle testing of the lithium complex
grease confirmed that the universal joint life was significantly improved as a
result.
AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and
validation of driveline systems and related components and modules, chassis
systems and forged products for trucks, buses, sport utility vehicles and
passenger cars. In addition to its 14 locations in the United States (in
Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices and facilities in Brazil,
England, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Scotland.
Certain statements contained in this press release which are not
historical facts contain forward-looking information with respect to the
Company's plans, projections or future performance, the occurrence of which
involves risk and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results
or plans to differ materially from those expected by the company which include
risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
For more information ...
Media relations contact Investor relations contact
Carrie L.P. Gray Robert A. Krause
Director, Corporate Relations Vice President & Treasurer
(313) 974-2598 (313) 974-3074
grayc@aam.com krauser@aam.com
Or visit the AAM website at http://www.aam.com
SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.aam.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/033813.html
CONTACT:
Media relations contact: Carrie L.P. Gray,
Director, Corporate Relations, +1-313-974-2598, grayc@aam.com ,
or Investor relations contact: Robert A. Krause, Vice President &
Treasurer, +1-313-974-3074, krauser@aam.com , both of American
Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
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