BREAKTHROUGHS IN ALUMINUM MOVING AT FASTER RATES

The Road Commander 2 cab, the truck industry's first all-welded aluminum cab is described. The cabs are produced in an integrated manufacturing line that can form, spot weld and finish aluminum and steel cabs interchangeably. The same tooling rigs and welding equipment are used for both materials. The cabs are made of 2036-T4 aluminum alloy combined with 5182 and 5052 alloys. Use is made of a 10,000 KVA spot welding system which is computer-controlled and utilizes 84 hand-operated DC welding units at 45 different stations. The welding process is a combination of spot welding and adhesive bonding or weld bonding. The advantages of the spot welded aluminum cab include labor savings due to elimination of tedious riveting operations; weight savings; improved vehicle integrity; and overall strength. However, the knowledge gained in getting the development off the ground may be the most significant benefit. The development of dual-purpose tooling as well as manufacturing methods applicable to both aluminum and steel could be of great significance to car manufacturers.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/31209162
• Corporate Authors:

  Automotive Industries International

  Chilton Way
  Radnor, PA  United States  19089
• Authors:
  • Fosdick, R J
• Publication Date: 1975-12-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 22-23
• Serial:
  • Automotive Industries
  • Volume: 153
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Randall Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 1099-4130
  • Serial URL: http://www.ai-online.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesives; Aluminum alloys; Bonding; Equipment; Information processing; Manufacturing; Spot welding; Steel; Strength of materials; Tools; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Weight
• Old TRIS Terms: Tooling
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131719
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 5 1976 12:00AM