Centro Ricerche Fiat has developed a modular solution based on casting nodes for CNH tractor cabin in order to integrate different functions (f.e. the silent block housing for the lower nodes and the prearrangement of rear-view mirrors for the upper nodes), to maximise efficiency and to reduce costs.
These integration nodes allow the elimination of reinforces and fixing brackets and guarantee a more robust assembly process and a simplified welding process.
The project was developed in different phases: for a first design evaluation, a topological optimization was done. The topological optimization is an analysis that allows the individuation of the optimum distribution of material inside the project volume in order to guarantee the maximum rigidity and lightening.
Subsequently, different casting solutions were evaluated: among these, the steel lost wax casting, already used for CNH components.
Magma simulation instruments were useful for CRF to define the optimum process parameters in order to obtain the best quality of the cast component. The traditional target to be reached are: for the filling phase the presence of an homogeneous metal front and a laminar filling of the dies in order to avoid air entrapment or oxide presence; for the solidification phase the reduction of the shrinkage porosity whereby the introduction of overflows, feeders and thermo-regulation systems to have a correct feeding of the cast and to transfer the last solidified areas outside of the final cast component.
The results were then transferred to the CNH development cabin platform (APL) for the final joint analysis. |
