Gearing Up For Higher Loads

Author:  John S. Eckersley
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 07/Issue 3, Fall 1993
Doc ID:  1993123
Year of Publication:  1993
Abstract:  
If only cars could fly. . . Have you noticed that the design philosophy of the car that you drive is approaching the design philosophy for airplanes? No, we don't mean that cars are about to sprout wings and soar above the traffic jams - though there is much that is attractive about that thought! We mean that today's cars are, of necessity, lighter, more compact, more durable, as well as being safer and more reliable and comfortable. Any engineer involved with the dynamic components of a car or truck: the powertrain, steering or suspension, is immediately faced with the dichotomy of designing smaller parts to carry greater loads. For instance, a transmission engineer has only so much space in which to work under the hood of an aerodynamically efficient front wheel drive vehicle. Then, no sooner does he have a successful transmission than the engine design guys figure out a way to increase the horsepower . . .