Metaldyne wins order to supply engine rods to Ford, I4

[biker16]

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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Metaldyne wins order to supply engine rods to Ford

February 12, 2002

BY DAN HART
BLOOMBERG NEWS

PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Metaldyne Corp., a closely held auto-parts maker controlled by David Stockman's private equity fund, said it won an order to supply connecting rods for a new Ford Motor Co. four-cylinder aluminum engine.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. The forged powder metal rods will be used in engines for Ford's Focus small car, Taurus sedan and Ranger compact pickup truck in North America and the Mondeo sedan in Europe, said spokesman Kurt Ruecke.

The Plymouth, Michigan-based company will make the parts at plants in Ridgway, Pennsylvania; Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, and Valencia, Spain, for the second-largest automaker. Ford will build the engines in Dearborn, Michigan; Chihuahua, Mexico; and Valencia, Metaldyne said.

Metaldyne, with more than 12,000 employees and $2.3 billion in sales, was formed last year after Heartland Industrial Partners LP, headed by the former Reagan administration budget official, bought Mascotech Inc., Simpson Industries Inc. and Global Metal Technologies Inc. Metaldyne said in November it received $2.6 billion in orders that would double sales by 2008.

The company's products include gears, spindles and sprockets used in drivetrains that transfer power from engines to wheels. It also makes engine covers and connecting rods that link the camshaft and pistons and other engine components.
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[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: biker16 ]</p>

[nazthug]

can we get a recall damnit? THat would be an awesome recall....or i can just break mine and blame it on the stock weak rods...

i wonder why they are going to forged? THis sux for us damnit [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

[biker16]

what are forged powder metal rods.

I understand Powder metal rods and Forged metal rods but what are those?



[ 02-12-2002: Message edited by: biker16 ]</p>

[Ozmotear]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by biker16:
...it won an order to supply connecting rods for a NEW Ford Motor Co. FOUR-CYLINDER ALUMINUM ENGINE. The forged powder metal rods will be used in engines for Ford's Focus small car...<hr></blockquote>

Hmmm... Does this mean the Focus won't get the Duratec?

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: Ozmotear ]

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: Ozmotear ]</p>

[ax0n]

From what I know, Forged Metal Powder parts are metal Powder parts that have been forged (duh) but heres the advantages of forging powdered metal parts:

1) Allows for higher density. This has a lot of sub-advantages like tighter tolerances, less pitting in bearing surfaces, more tensile strength, to name a few.

2) Weight fluctuation between each part is typically a lot less than with standard powdered metal parts (more balanced)

3) Since the parts are heat treated, they're easier to machine without damaging the parts.

[ax0n]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ozmotear:


Hmmm... Does this mean the Focus won't get the Duratec?

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: Ozmotear ]

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: Ozmotear ]<hr></blockquote>


Notice it said the NEW 4-cylinder engine. I'm pretty sure the Duratec is a go. It'll just have better internals now. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[biker16]

thanks axOn for the tutorial. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]


<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ax0n:
Notice it said the NEW 4-cylinder engine. I'm pretty sure the Duratec is a go. It'll just have better internals now. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

they must have been using a different supplier during prodution ramp. now that the engine is going into full prodution they are shopping for a suplier who can deliver more parts, quickly, and at lower cost.

Metaldyne has plants near the engine prodution sites.

I am sure Mazda had the final say on whether or not that supplier was used. Ford will be making the 2.3 for the mazda 6.

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: biker16 ]</p>

[P-51]

Guys, I don't think these are any different than the rods we already have.

I've never heard of powder metallurgy where they DON'T forge the parts.

[biker16]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by P-51:
Guys, I don't think these are any different than the rods we already have.

I've never heard of powder metallurgy where they DON'T forge the parts.<hr></blockquote>

there seems to be alot of confusion out there.

Ford says they are using powder metal rods on the Ranger and mazda says they are using forged rods on the 6 and I am pretty sure they use the same C-rods.

I guess the key word would be Forged steel. right?

from the mondeo press kit.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Sinter-forged connecting rods with fraction-split big ends for precision fit<hr></blockquote>

from the mazda 6 Press kit
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> Low friction-coated, lightweight alloy pistons with sinter-forged connecting rods for dimensional accuracy and fraction-split ends are used for a precision fit that enhances reliability and reduces noise and vibration.
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Ford ranger
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>I-Beam, Material Powdered Metal<hr></blockquote>

[P-51]

Well, see that is just it.

In the process that is called "Powder Metalurgy", one of the main steps is called "sinter forginging".

Basically, you take all this powdered metal, and "pour" it into your mould. You compress that under lots of pressure, and heat it up, to form the intermetallic bonds between the particles.

The resultant piece has high dimensional accuracy (they use it now to make tiny gears for watches and things), and stronger than a casting because the grains are more refined. Yet not quite as strong as a forged piece, because the metal is not work hardened.