Aluminum Suspension Arms

[ForgingGuy]

Greetings,

I am searching for an engineer who would have some knowledge of the forging of aluminum suspension arms (Open die forging) for automobiles.

I have found myself in a process/manufacturing engineering position within such a facility and I am having some difficulty with the process itself. The difficulty is primarily comming from the fact that not alot of people are doing it state side (primarily done in india/china/japan).

Any aluminum forging guys out there?

 

[TVP]

I would recommend contacting Jim Henning, a frequent contributor to Forging Magazine (Penton Publishing). He has a great deal of experience in the forging industry, including a stint as the Technical Director of the Forging Industry Association (FIA).

 

[Fabrico]

Those have become very popular with Ford and GM for front and rear suspensions. Hard to believe it's all from other shores.

 

[evelrod]

I don't have a handle on the current state of the US aluminium industry, but in the late 80's the suspension parts for Corvette were forged at the Alcoa plant in Socal.

Rod

 

[CoryPad]

The C5 Corvette (1997-2004) used arms produced in France by Saint Jean Industries using their special Cobapress process.

http://www.st-ji.com/fr_produit_nav.htm

I think the current Corvette still uses this, but I am not sure.

Kobe produces forged arms in Kentucky:

http://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/topics/2007/03/1178168_5581.html

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[TVP]

Kaiser Aluminum is the other major North American producer of forged automotive suspension components.

http://www.kaiseral.com/proalloy/fp_index.htm

 

[ghettoracer]

Taiwan appears to have done a bit of forged suspension components for automotive too. However I'm not sure if it's OEM, or after market replacement...

AKMEE Engineering Est. 2004 -

http://www.akmee.com

SoCal SCCA/Cal Club Honda-Cup series #33, NorCal NASA Honda Challenge series #33
Life dream/goal is to be a pro race car driver by 2010.

 

[ForgingGuy]

Wow thanks alot for the responses! I gotta take a look at these guys