Auburn Hills, MI--As the trend toward lighter-weight more energy-efficient vehicle designs continues, materials will play an increasingly critical role. The new power train for the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a good example.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sponsored Content
Technology Marketplace
Chrysler's newest sport utility vehicle (SUV) is larger than its earlier models, but gets 8% more mpg on average, while reducing emissions some 30%. Behind these noteworthy statistics lies the Cherokee's new 4.7(liter) V8 engine's automatic 5-speed 45RFE fully electronic automatic transmission and transfer case. In addition to the lower fuel and emissions figures, the power train weighs 50 lb less than its predecessor, according to Mike Kirk, Jeep power train project manager.
How did this come about? Kirk reports that the results stem from the use of a potpourri of advanced materials. They include: aluminum cylinder heads and an all-aluminum front cover; powder-forged connecting rods; intake manifold made of 35% glass-filled nylon 66 molded with the lost-core process; magnesium cam covers for less weight, more strength, and less space compared to aluminum designs; and an "industry first" compacted graphite-iron bedplate for more robustness during foundry and machining operations.
Chrysler believes that the $2.6 billion spent on the Grand Cherokee design is worth it. Why? Because predicted annual demand for SUVs will grow to 3.3 million by 2005. That's up from 2.4 million in 1997 and an estimated 2.7 million for the 1999 model year.
JUNE 26TH WEBCAST: Collaborative Requirements Engineering
Speed your innovation. Capture the "voice of the customer" and translate customer requests into user requirements that define new products. Find out why the new ENOVIA Requirements Management solution enables organizations to improve their overall global requirements management process. Read More
Mechatronics in action
Successful synergistic integration of controls, electronics, computers and mechanical systems is key to the 21st century design process. Unlock the secrets at the Mechatronics Zone!
Webcast: Sensor Know-How Now
Join our moderator Randy Frank and John Keating from Cognex and explore Solving Industrial Inspection Problems. Read More
Engineering Concept Conduit
Engineering Concept Conduit looks at new products and the components that make them exceptional. Each month we’ll look at a new electronic product and see what makes it tick from an engineering point of view. We’ll explore the design and engineering challenges for the product and examine the components that solved those challenges.
Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More