PROCESSES OF CARS SUSPENSION SYSTEM



Investigation of the Manufacturing and Assembly Processes of Cars Suspension System

Investigation of the Manufacturing and Assembly Processes of Cars Suspension System

All steering and suspension parts attach to the frame. Below will be articles that cover these individual attaching parts. If the frame is not straight or tweaked in an accident many drivability and even safety concerns can develop. The car suspension system has greatly changed through the years. Not only has technology brought about these changes so has the desire for sports car like handling? while maintaining a luxurious ride. (Jones? 1994? 33-46) To understand the car manufacturing process? you have to understand the underlying supply chain that drives domestic vehicle assembly. Today's cars are primarily "sourced out" to produce various sub-assemblies in over 4?000 disparate locations as far away as China. This means a car's "production" plant is an active assembly point? where skilled workers and robotic systems bring together all of the necessary loose components to create a final product on a "just-in-time" basis. (Jones? 1994? 33-46) The chassis of the car is the baseline component. All other parts are integrated on? or within the chassis. This is typically a welded frame that's initially attached to a conveyor that moves along a production line. Parts that are sequentially applied to the chassis include the engine? front and rear suspension? gas tank? rear-end and half-shafts? transmission? drive shaft? gear box? steering box? wheel drums and the brake system. The two central major assemblies are next mated for final setup and roll-out. Again? this process is executed via computer and control machines (C&C) to ensure speed? and perfect the fit between the body assembly and the chassis. (Rock? 1991? 57-61) Once the car is rolling on its own? it's driven to the final quality control point? inspected and placed in a waiting line for transportation to its final dealer destination.

Group Strategy and Functioning of the Team

After a series of meetings early in the semester? the group determined the key components and subassemblies involved in the design and fabrication of the car. These items were:

• Car Chassis

• Rear Suspension

• Front Suspension

• Steering Mechanism and Interface

• Interface Plate and Electronics

• Car Shell and Mold The group met once a week for the first 4-5 weeks after the team had formed? two to three times every week during the following month? and almost every working day during the last six weeks. (Jones? 1994? 33-46)

During the initial phase of the project? the focus of the meetings was on the design and manufacturing issues related to each of the above subassemblies. These meetings involved intense brainstorming sessions? which generated many ideas on any given component/subassembly. (Rock? 1991? 57-61) In the following meetings? all team-members would present prototypes of their respective ideas and the entire team would critically evaluate each prototype. Based on this evaluation? the team selected the one or two most-promising designs. (Jones? 1991? 807-76) The second design was retained as a backup in case the original was ...