Automotive engineers are constantly challenged to improve the fuel
economy and performance of their vehicles while also lowering cost. Every
aspect of a vehicle is scrutinized, from body panel metals and composite
materials, to engine and powertrain components.
Transmission and transfer case OEMs strive to develop innovative designs
to meet cost targets while providing improved performance and enhanced
driver experience.
KILIAN RECOGNIZED FOR SUPERIOR APPLICATION EXPERTISE
For more than 25 years, Kilian has built an excellent reputation for
providing customized bearing and detent design solutions to major auto
transmission/transfer case OEMs in the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Austria, Spain, Poland, France and China. Kilian’s global expertise in this
market focuses primarily on shift detents, shift forks, planetary gear sets
for actuators and assemblies used to control hydraulic pressure.
Kilian engineers specialize in identifying the best materials, heat treatment,
lubrication, bearing type and part geometry that will provide the optimum
performance at the lowest overall cost. In most cases, Kilian also provides
integral attachment features that make it easy to install the product, and
also eliminates the need to source and stock a fastener and perform an
assembly operation.
In addition, Kilian can add engineered overmolded plastics to a design to
provide a solution that requires a non-magnetic characteristic.
STRUCTURED FOR SUCCESS
Kilian’s exceptionally talented group of co-located design
and manufacturing engineers work closely together at
the onset of a project to ensure that a product design not
only meets the specific application requirements but also
considers “Design for Manufacturability” (DFM). This allows
Kilian custom design solutions to be competitively priced.
Machining and assembly is also located in the same
facility so engineers have the ability to view prototypes and
monitor the manufacturing process at every step to make
design improvements and cost reduction suggestions.
A complete in-house prototype department allows Kilian
to provide production-intent designs to the customer in
approximately 4 weeks.
Detent/piston designs are routinely tested for 2 million cycles utilizing Kilian’s unique Radial Bearing Durability Test Machine. The machine features a variable speed/variable distance precision-guided table and custom-designed fixtures that
allow for testing multiple detents simultaneously.
RESPONSIVE DESIGN SUPPORT
Many design iterations are often required to ensure that
not only the Kilian design solution, but the complete OEM
end-product meets form, fit and function requirements.
Part designs might change multiple times to further perfect
the final end-product. As a custom bearing and assembly
designer, Kilian can easily adapt to specification and
design changes.
COMPREHENSIVE IN-HOUSE TESTING CAPABILITIES
Kilian has developed specialized in-house capabilities for
comprehensive testing of all facets of a design, including
durability testing of bearing components when required.
Kilian is also certified to perform cleanliness testing in
accordance with established standards of major OEMs.
Kilian also performs DV (Design Verification) and PV
(Product Validation) testing. Testing can be conducted
under ambient temperatures as well as elevated and low
temperatures (torque testing for example).