A prospective customer was having sourcing, quality, assembly and maintenance issues with some of the ball joint components used on the front suspension of rugged utility vehicles. CCTY Bearing Company designed a solution that eliminated the ball joint issues, which also proved to be:
Executive Summary
An OEM was experiencing worldwide failure of their telehandler’s boom retraction and was in dire need of a solution. Their current supplier did not have the ability to address the issue in a timely manner, nor did they have a potential solution. The OEM reached out to CCTY based on a suggestion from one of their suppliers.
When a forklift OEM provided samples for a tie rod quote, CCTY engineers took a look at the overall design. Based on knowledge from working with similar applications in the commercial truck industry, the engineers were able to improve the tie rods used in the steering mechanism.
Tie rods in forklift steering are traditionally metal-on-metal, which requires periodic re-greasing and leads to a shortened lifespan. They also include a coil spring and two cups behind the ball joint. CCTY’s design utilized a metal on nylon, self-lubricating design that eliminated the need for cups and the spring – providing cost savings.
When it comes to ATV and off-road vehicles, bumps in the road are expected – and even sought out. However, their toll on the suspension system needs to be kept in check. Traditionally, a stabilizer link is added to maintain a smoother ride for the on or off-road riding experience.
A new large construction vehicle design required an array of aluminum bronze bushing sizes. CCTY Bearing Company reviewed the application, its loads, and the mating components of the requested bushings. Concern was raised that the design lengths of the bushings were too long relative to the application loads on the shafts. The kind of loads that might create excessive shaft deflection within the bushings length.
A recreational vehicle OEM requested standard spherical plain bearings (SPBs) for a newly designed steering system. During the testing phase, the SPB showed signs of wear and it was determined that the axial clearance needed to be tighter. The OEM asked CCTY Bearing Company’s engineers to modify the bearing’s axial clearance.
An industrial sweeper OEM was encountering a subtle noise variation within a fan assembly. The occasional noise vexed engineers so their design engineer reached out to CCTY for help.
When contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union and waterfront employers broke down, shoremen went on a work stoppage, which eventually led to a strike. As a result, containers were left to languish on the water for weeks.
CCTY was monitoring the progression of talks and began routing shipments through an alternate source weeks before the strike. This foresight allowed customers to keep their production lines on schedule without an increase in transportation fees.
Executive SummaryA snowmobile customer needed a stronger ball joint than what was originally specified for a new design. The part had been approved and orders placed. However, after analyzing the ball joint in field tests, it was determined that the stud needed to be enlarged without expanding the housing. CCTY’s engineers designed a solution that adhered to part specifications in just one week. Due to the timely response, the client was able to reorder without delaying the production schedule and continue testing the sled without interruption.
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