Shiloh Industries Inc. reported success in a light-weighting effort for a solid, rear-beam axle housing. The aluminum part is cast using a "cutting edge" technology, and reportedly reduces the weight of a standard cast iron housing by 24 lbs. (11 kg), or 40%.
The aluminum housing was customized for an unnamed OEM for its 2019 model year light-duty pickup trucks.
“We believe we are the first in the industry able to produce a pickup truck rear-beam axle housing in aluminum,” stated David Jaeger, SVP and managing director of CastLight, Shiloh’s diecasting business unit. “This exciting new product is another example of Shiloh’s unique ability to develop innovative light-weighting technologies while assisting our customers in optimizing the strength, weight and performance attributes of their vehicles.”
Shiloh produces aluminum and magnesium high-pressure diecastings, among various other parts for automotive bodies, powertrains, structural and seating components. It offers a choice of capabilities for parts with very thin walls: ThinTech (2-4 mm); Enhanced HPDC (4-10 mm); and Squeeze Cast (>10 mm).
In addition to casting, Shiloh offers pressure and leak testing, X-ray and dimensional inspection; heat treatment; machining; assembly; and finishing and coating.