2018 Seminar on New Materials and New Process Application Technologies for Automotive Chassis

The 2018 Seminar on New Materials and New Process Application Technologies for Automotive Chassis was successfully held in Hefei from October 18-20. The integrated supply chain of vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, and raw material suppliers conducted a comprehensive assessment and guidance on the development of automotive chassis lightweighting. With the national policies on energy conservation, emission reduction, and consumption reduction, as well as the national 2025 emission requirements, regions across the country are actively responding to the national call.

As a specially invited guest, Wuhu Hetian Automotive Industry delivered a speech on behalf of component suppliers. Our topic “Application of Aluminum Alloy Forgings in Automotive Chassis” received widespread recognition from the industry, and we had extensive exchanges with vehicle manufacturers and raw material suppliers.

The requirements for energy conservation, emission reduction, and consumption reduction are becoming increasingly stringent. The range requirements for electric vehicles are also becoming more demanding. OEMs are increasingly calling for chassis lightweighting. As component suppliers, we play a connecting role. Some of our peers have even begun researching carbon fiber control arms and steering knuckles, aluminum alloy subframes (see below), aluminum alloy brake calipers, magnesium-aluminum alloy wheels, and other chassis lightweighting products, conducting comprehensive R&D from new materials, new processes, and new technologies.

In terms of aluminum alloy forgings, although we have a certain position in the industry, competition is fierce. Currently, there are already samples of carbon fiber control arms and steel-plastic hybrid control arms appearing. Even at the sample stage, they can still be considered a revolution in technical improvement.

Lightweighting is a comprehensive discipline that has promoted the development of modern automotive technology. Although aluminum alloy forgings have made outstanding contributions to automotive chassis lightweighting, with the development of the industry (new processes, new materials, new technologies), our advantages are diminishing. At this stage, for our company, it is both an opportunity and a challenge. Therefore, we must have a “sense of crisis,” continue to leverage our strengths, and also understand and learn from the advantages in the industry. We cannot work behind closed doors. We have a long way to go on the road of building China’s automotive chassis lightweighting. So, we must guard against arrogance and impatience, and forge ahead!

Technical Department — Zhao Yingjun

Last updated: Oct 18, 2018 · Reviewed by the Hetian engineering team