DETROIT, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most
critical vehicle systems, the axle, delivers power and torque from the transmission and drive shaft to the wheels. This proven
system has not been markedly changed for decades. Until now. Until QUANTUM™.
Throwing out the blueprint for axle design and starting over, American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has developed completely
new, significantly improved axle technology. QUANTUM driveline technology is scalable across a wide range of vehicle segments and
provides substantial advantages regardless of vehicle size – reduced mass, increased power density, improved noise vibration and
harshness (NVH) and efficiency gains in a more compact system package.
"Quite simply, AAM's QUANTUM is a game changer," said David C. Dauch, AAM chairman and chief
executive officer. "What started as spark of an idea with our engineers has progressed to a proven technology that will increase
vehicle efficiency, improve fuel economy and increase power density. Our customers will see a difference in axle packaging and
drivers will see a difference at the gas pump."
Completely new axle design
AAM's advanced engineers had a radical idea. What if you could redesign and rework the axle to increase efficiency? After
several years of benchmarking non-automotive products, spending countless development hours, running arduous hardware tests and
securing more than a dozen patents, AAM engineers redesigned virtually every component of the traditional axle. What resulted is
the QUANTUM family of axles that yield significant gains in efficiency, performance and packaging all while reducing system
weight.
"The numbers are amazing," said Phil Guys, AAM vice president and chief technology officer.
"QUANTUM's 20 percent power density increase comes with a minimum 30 percent mass reduction at the same torque capacity. For a
heavy-duty pickup, QUANTUM provides more than 100 lbs. of vehicle weight savings. It is significantly more efficient without any
reduction in performance."
QUANTUM's new design is centered on using traditional axle components in new ways. Bearings are arranged more efficiently and
gears are set in optimal positions. AAM's engineers utilized system innovation to eliminate weight by combining functions
of many components and developing proprietary lubricants that would increase system efficiency and durability. In a traditional
axle, shims are used to ensure an axle's hypoid gears are installed precisely for optimum durability and NVH. Because of
QUANTUM's smart design, engineers were able to eliminate the need for shims while still providing up to a 5 dB improvement in NVH
performance.
"QUANTUM's innovative gear and bearing design coupled with optimized housing allowed AAM to significantly reduce the packaging
space," said Guys. "This means our customers gain valuable space for other vehicle content that is important to their
customers such as a lower load floor or even a larger fuel tank."
Scalable across vehicle segments, QUANTUM can be adapted for use on virtually any size truck or passenger vehicle. AAM
initially designed a QUANTUM lightweight beam axle for rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles such as pickup trucks but has expanded
QUANTUM technology to include RWD and all-wheel drive (AWD) passenger vehicles, crossovers and SUVs.
Beam Axles
QUANTUM beam axles are scalable and can be used on heavy-, medium or light-duty RWD based pickups. This workhorse and
lightweight axle results in increased vehicle payload capacity. It is up to 35 percent lighter and up to 30 percent more
efficient when compared to a traditional axle.
AWD and RWD Modules
For customers looking for systems on other vehicle segments, AAM developed QUANTUM RWD and AWD modules. With typical
applications including passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs, QUANTUM RWD and AWD modules can be designed and built for multiple
configurations and sizes. These lightweight and efficient modules are available in open, mechanical limited slip, electronic
limited slip and torque vectoring configurations and can be equipped with AAM's first-to-market EcoTrac® Disconnecting
AWD technology. QUANTUM RWD and AWD systems are up to 25 percent lighter and up to 30 percent more efficient compared to a
traditional axle for these segments of vehicles. QUANTUM AWD and RWD modules also have a reduced packaging size allowing OEMs
space flexibility for other vehicle systems.
EcoTrac® Disconnecting Modules
QUANTUM driveline technology is scalable for virtually any size vehicle and the technology can also be coupled with other AAM
products to offer improvements in vehicle performance, fuel economy and passenger safety.
When installed together, QUANTUM and EcoTrac provide further fuel economy savings while also improving passenger safety. AAM's
EcoTrac AWD gives drivers the performance of an AWD vehicle with the fuel economy of a FWD vehicle by using only the front wheels
when AWD is not required. EcoTrac senses when AWD is needed and automatically and seamlessly engages AWD. When road and weather
conditions do not necessitate AWD, the vehicle uses only its primary drive system, the front wheels to maximize fuel efficiency.
Unlike conventional AWD systems, EcoTrac disconnects at the rear drive module (RDM) and the power transfer unit (PTU), causing
the driveshaft to stop spinning when the system is disconnected. Fewer spinning components means less fuel consumption and fewer
emissions.
TracRite® Differentials
AAM's portfolio of TracRite® differentials can be designed into the drive system to improve traction, handling, stability and
performance. AAM's full range of differentials includes open, mechanical limited slip, electronic lockers, automatic lockers
and electronic limited slip technologies.
"AAM's core mission is to Deliver Power," said Dauch. "We do that with the industry's most durable, efficient and
technologically advanced driveline products. QUANTUM is just our first step toward innovating future products that are lighter,
stronger, smarter and help meet our customers' requirements and global drivers' needs."
About AAM
AAM (NYSE: AXL) is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain
systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles,
passenger cars, crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles. In addition to locations in the United
States (Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South Korea,
Sweden and Thailand. To learn more, visit www.aam.com.
Media Contact:
Andrea Knapp
(313) 758-2730
andrea.knapp@aam.com
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SOURCE AAM