About Metaldyne
Engine Products: Powder connecting rods, dampers, balance shaft systems.
Transmission Products: Valve bodies, end cover assemblies, clutch modules.
Driveline Products: Differential gears and assemblies, sliding and splined sleeves.
Connecting...
Metaldyne is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Metaldyne Performance Group ("MPG"), which is owned by American Securities, a leading private equity firm. MPG is a leading provider of highly-engineered components for use in powertrain, transmission, engine, driveline and safety-critical applications for the global light, commercial and industrial vehicle markets. MPG has a a global footprint spanning 58 facilities in 13 countries across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, and with over 11,500 employees.
METALDYNE
Metaldyne is a leading global designer and supplier of metal-formed components and assemblies for powertrain applications including engine connecting rods, transmission valve bodies,forged and finished differential gears and pinions, differential assemblies, balance shaft modules, crankshaft dampers and crankshaft pulleys. With a core competency in metalworking, including cold forging, warm forging, powder metal and aluminum die casting, Metaldyne builds on this foundation with precision machining and assembly to deliver best-in-class products.
Metaldyne believes in the power of people and ideas. Through the collective strength of its employees and a diverse supply base, Metaldyne has become the supplier of choice for automakers around the world.
Sales Revenue: Over $1 billion
Number of Employees: More than 4,000
Locations: 26 facilities in 13 countries around the world - ISO 14001 certified at all locations
Global Headquarters: Plymouth, MI, USA
Product Lines Engine Products: Powder metal connecting rods, dampers, balance shaft systems, and more. Transmission Products: Valve bodies, end cover assemblies, clutch modules, and more. Driveline Products: Differential gears and assemblies, sliding and splined sleeves, and more.
Customers OEMs: Audi, BMW, Chery, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, John Deere, Mitsubishi, Opel, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault-Nissan, Saab, VW, Volvo Truck. Tier 1s: Bosch, BorgWarner, Cummins, Getrag, Linamar, and ZF.
The Metaldyne viscous damper provides torsional vibration damping by the shearing effect of a highly viscous silicone fluid enclosed between the inner ring and outer casing.
The damper casing incorporates a mounting flange which is rigidly attached to the fore end of the crankshaft and houses an inertia ring which is freely supported and located by bearings inside the casing.
Under conditions of zero torsional vibration the damper casing and inertia ring rotate at uniform velocity with the viscous fluid transferring the torque between them. As the engine speed changes to a point where torsional vibration is present the crankshaft and damper casing are subject to torsional oscillation superimposed on the mean rotation.
Because of its inertia effects the inner ring continues to rotate at a constant angular velocity creating an oscillating anti- phase movement between itself and the casing.
This relative movement shears the film of silicone fluid, absorbing vibration energy which is dissipated as heat through the external surfaces of the damper casing. Dissipation of heat is critical to the efficient life of the damper.
Analysis Expertise
Metaldyne’s calculation programmes analyse the steady state torsional vibration characteristics by the classical resonant analysis and by the more sophisticated Forced/Damped torsional vibration analysis technique. This approach assures the customer of the most cost effective solution for their specific applications. Metaldyne also pioneered the application of large (>2 metre) viscous torsional vibration dampers for large slow speed 2 and 4 stroke engines to control torsional vibrations in the propeller and intermediate shafts on propulsion systems.
Design Skills
Metaldyne has a vast experience in the application and design of viscous torsional vibration dampers on high, medium and low speed diesel engines. Further product applications can include transmission dampers for machine tools to prevent gear chatter, vehicle (truck, trams and bus) transmission dampers to prevent harshness and noise which contribute to passenger discomfort, and diesel engine camshaft dampers to limit the stresses in the camshaft due to its self imposed torsional vibration excitation. Customers are invited to contact Metaldyne where data requirements can be discussed and a detailed study of the torsional vibration characteristics of the system will be conducted using the latest in-house computer programmes. This is a specific requirement for large 2 stroke engines. Applied Technology Customers are assured of optimum solutions to their duty cycle needs with Metaldyne’s applied technology.
- In-house torsional vibration programmes
- Finite element design tools
- Expertise to confirm predictions by measurement
- NVH evaluation tools
- Comprehensive rig testing
- Performance & condition monitoring
