CASE STUDY HIGHLIGHTS

• Global automotive supplier with longstanding experience in serial production
• Part development is based on an integrated approach taking the entire additive manufacturing process chain into account
• High level of development expertise in lightweighting, as well as in the application of designs based on bionics
• Material savings of 40% compared to the conventional forged part
• Production requiring few support structures leads to reduced post- processing effort

HIRSCHVOGEL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

As a global automotive supplier with around The vision of the company is to achieve 5,300 employees in nine plants on three continuous improvement and provide expert continents, the Hirschvogel Automotive Group answers to the new questions arising from develops, produces and sells high-strength ever more stringent requirements. A parts for the automotive industry, among corresponding level of commitment and others. The vision of the company is to achieve continuous improvement and provide expert answers to the new questions arising from ever more stringent requirements. A corresponding level of commitment and passion goes into every product. As a creative development partner, the Hirschvogel Automotive Group draws on its development know-how to make an active contribution to achieving the technical and economic goals of its customers.

PART DEVELOPMENT WITH A FOCUS ON THE ENTIRE PROCESS CHAIN

Development work at Hirschvogel Tech Solutions is always carried out based on an integrated approach, with a focus on the entire process chain. In this way, innovative and technically sophisticated solutions are commercially viable. To gain maximum benefit from attractive solutions, including additive manufacturing, productive use of bionic methods is implemented, drawing on structures developed by nature over millions of years and applying them to the areas of engineering and technology.

STEERING KNUCKLE DEVELOPMENT

This approach was adopted on a steering knuckle, where it was possible to achieve a 40% weight saving in the neck area compared to the conventional forged part. All the requirements demanded of the part were fulfilled, taking into account the given assembly space. To do this, specially developed methods and specifically adapted CAx systems were used. Part design was carried out with a view to later production, allowing the part to be manufactured without the many additional internal support structures that would otherwise be required. Initially, a number of part variants was developed based on solutions from nature. These variants were then assessed before selecting those which were calculated and verfieid to best fulfil the given boundary conditions.

The skillful positioning of the part, which is almost 600mm in length, means that it can be produced easily on a Nikon SLM®500 selective laser melting system. It was also possible to produce the part with minimized support structures, and completely without internal supports, resulting in low post-processing effort. Tests carried out on tensile and notched bar specimens built in the same process showed results matching the forecast values.

HIRSCHVOGEL TECH SOLUTIONS

As a brand of the Hirectivogel Automotive Group, Hirschvogel Tech Solutions is available as a competent service provider for part development and additive manufacturing through the Conduration of three service components part development, additive manufacturing and materiale fatture analysts the company supports its customers with an optimum know-how package for developing innovative products and high strength components Hirschvogel fech Houmans is an innovation partner and estution provider in many application areas that extend far Beyond Forging and the automotive industry.

OUR MISSION, TO EMPOWER YOURS

To learn more about how Nikon SLM Solutions can help you optimize your manufacturing processes, please contact our team.