Forgings are widely used in the manufacturing of many critical components in the automobile production process to ensure the stability, safety, and durability of the vehicle. In this article, we will introduce several common forgings used in automobile manufacturing and illustrate their use through real-life production examples.
- Crankshafts
The crankshaft is one of the most important components inside the engine, and it is also a crucial forging component in automobile manufacturing. It constantly twists and bends, bearing a lot of pressure and friction, so it requires high-quality materials for manufacturing. Carbon steel forgings are one of the most commonly used materials, as it can withstand bending fatigue and can tolerate extreme temperatures and pressures. For example, in Ford’s engine production line, crankshafts are usually made of carbon steel forgings.
- Flywheels
The flywheel is a device used to transfer power and control engine speed. In automobile manufacturing, flywheels are usually forged by heating and hammering. Compared with other metal forming methods, forging can provide higher strength and hardness, thus greatly enhancing the stability and durability of the flywheel. For example, the flywheels used in Honda’s Accord and Civic series models are forged.
- Pushrods
The pushrod is a component used to open the engine’s valves. It needs to bear a lot of force and pressure and requires sufficient elasticity to prevent damage. Therefore, high-strength alloy steel is usually used to manufacture pushrods in automobile manufacturing. For example, General Motors used a pushrod made from 718 high-strength alloy steel forging in its C6 Corvette ZR1 model.
In conclusion, forgings play a crucial role in the automobile manufacturing process. Whether it is crankshafts, flywheels, or pushrods, high-quality forging materials are required to ensure the reliability, safety, and durability of the vehicle.
