GKN Sinter Metals received three prestigious design awards from the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) at the annual technical conference POWDERMET2016. This annual awards competition, held in Boston and sponsored by MPIF, sees parts makers from MPIF’s member companies invited to submit components that demonstrate the benefits of Powder Metallurgy technology.
This year, MPIF received 24 submissions from nine member companies. The parts were reviewed by a panel of judges with criteria based on design configuration (40%), engineering properties (40%) and promotional value (20%). The winning parts will appear in many publications over the next year, giving added exposure to these achievements in powder metallurgy design while honoring the fabricators and end users responsible for them.
GKN’s Awards Team, which consisted of Abdul Butt, President Americas, Brian Durbin, VP Sales and Marketing, Joel Mandel, VP Engineering, and Alan Taylor, VP Lightweight Technology, joined together to submit the following technologies: Forged Powder Metal (FPM) Differential Gear Set, Aluminum Heat Sink, and Electric Power Steering Pulley.
GKN’s VP of Lightweight Technology, Alan Taylor, played a major role in organizing this year“s submissions and was honored to be a part of such a wonderful event. „MPIF is a well-known industry trade group who awards the best designers in the industry.“ said Taylor.
The Grand Prize in the Automotive-Transmission Category was awarded to GKN Sinter Metals for the Differential Gear Set, which includes five components-a side gear, two pinion gears, a locking side gear, and a locking plate-comprising a forged PM electronic locking differential gear set made for Ford Motor Co. The parts go into the rear axle differential of the Ford F-150 light truck; the first time forged powder metal differential gears have been used in such an application. The higher performance delivered by the forged PM differential gears compared to that of competing metal-forming processes will help usher in downsized gear systems, satisfying a critical need in future automotive design.
GKN was also recognized for an Award of Distinction in the Electronic/Electrical Category for an Aluminum PM Heat Sink made for Visteon. The part is used in a high-volume global automotive stereo application. The part is produced to net shape with no secondary machining operations needed. The high material ductility of the special aluminum PM alloy, combined with the precise positioning of the tooled-in assembly holes, enables assembly of the heat sink without the need for attachment screws.
Another Award of Distinction was given to GKN Sinter Metals in the Automotive-Chassis Category for a copper-steel driven pulley for an Electric Power Steering System made for Nexteer Automotive. The pulley is a complex net-shape-compacted part with a unique helical geometry and tight tolerances. Close collaboration with the customer in the design of the part, which includes net-formed lightening holes, yielded savings of more than 10%.
Taylor continued, „Since GKN has such a broad range of products it made our choices quite simple. Of the three parts that were submitted, one was Powder Forging, the other Aluminum Powder Metallurgy and lastly, Conventional PM. All three have performance and light weighting attributes to help boost fuel economy. It was truly an honor for us to be recognized for all three of our submitted parts.“
About GKN Sinter Metals
GKN Sinter Metals is the world’s largest producer of precision powder metal products. With a focus on superior delivery, quality and total solutions, the company offers extensive technical expertise in design, testing and various process technologies. GKN Sinter Metals offers a full range of complex shapes and high strength products for automotive, industrial and consumer markets worldwide. The company’s global footprint spans more than 13 countries across five continents. GKN Sinter Metals is in close proximity to its customers with more than 30 global locations and more than 6,000 employees.
About GKN plc
GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. Approximately 56,100 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of GBP 7.7 billion in the year to 31 December 2015.
Kontakt
GKN Sinter Metals
Susanne Hütter
Am Fliegerhorst 9
99947 Bad Langensalza
03603895980
susanne.huetter@gkn.com
http://www.gkn.com/sintermetals
