Development of a novel testing methodology for heavy equipment axles

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Hitachi Construction Truck Manufacturing Ltd. (HTM) Canada, a subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Truck Manufacturing Ltd.(HTM) Japan, produces world class rigid dump trucks for use in surface mining and large scale construction projects. At its location in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, HTM designs and manufactures trucks ranging from 60-300 metric tons in carrying capacity. Axle performance in terms of integrity of oil sealing system and hydraulic leaks is one of the leading concerns in heavy equipment manufacturing. Preassembly inspection of these components represents a challenging issue due to the lack of testing methodology of such systems. This project aims to develop a testing methodology which will enable pre-delivery testing of truck axles as well as testing of design modifications. Procedures and schemes will be developed to apply and control hydraulic pressure to steering, braking and brake cooling system. Quality and productivity are crucial to HTM's operation and growth. If a rear axle is manufactured incorrectly and fails in a truck at a mine, Hitachi faces a $200,000 repair charge. With the current annual production of 150 trucks and with the planned expansion, the development of axle testing methods is crucial to the viability of company growth.