Die Stamping Our Way to Remarkably Better Automotive Parts

Two qualities of automotive parts have stood the test of time. The lighter and stronger the materials used for making a part, the better. Considering the integrity of the automobile as a whole, the quest for the right mix of metals for each particular component is ongoing. The process most relied upon for the manufacture of parts nowadays is die stamping because of its mass production advantage. Also known as pressing, this is the process of stamping shapes from sheets of metal.

High Strength Steels

Towards the end of the 1900s, increasing awareness of the human impact on our planet sped up the search for ways to reduce our energy use. This was most apparent in the automotive parts industry. Safety regulations became stricter. People increasingly want cars that are more environmentally friendly and that operate more cost effectively. Advanced high strength steels developed for the automotive industry are changing the way cars are made.

Steel versus Aluminium 

There is constant debate in the automotive industry about whether to use aluminium or steel in the production of automotive parts. Essentially this is a quest for finding material strong enough to be safe for use in automobiles that is formable and cost effective. Most of the top car manufacturers are opting for decisions of which material to be used being made on a part by part basis.

History of Die Stamping

Dating back to 2000BC, with stone-age man beating iron with a hammer to make tools with heated metal resting on a bed or bolster, the idea of stamping metals is not new. Die stamping was first used to produce bicycle parts in the 1890s. Although die stamping produced parts with less durability than traditional forging, there was advantage in using machines to manufacture automotive parts more quickly. As demand for motor vehicles grew, faster production methods were welcomed.

Progressive Stamping

A variety of metalworking methods are incorporated into the die stamping manufacture of automotive parts. Beginning with simple methods like bending the metal along straight lines, there are nine other ways machines are working with metal during the stamping process. Flanging, embossing, blanking, coining, deep drawing, stretching, ironing, curling and hemming each allow progressively more detailed parts to be made.

Improving Automotive Parts Manufacturing

Along with developing steel sheets for die stamping that are thinner and more lightweight than ever while having increased strength, machining is becoming more technologically advanced. Modern control systems and computer aided design and machining along with improved mechanisms for spot-welding, riveting and door-latch making are transforming the automotive parts manufacturing process.

Overall Productivity

Computers are an integral part of numerical control at play in today's component design and machining systems. Along with advances in automation using computer aided manufacturing, automotive parts can be more productively and cost-effectively produced than ever before. The precision possible through die stamping methods used in automotive part manufacturing going into this millennium is improving productivity and lowering environmental impact.

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Introduction To Traxxas Nitro Cars and Trucks

Traxxas is one of the biggest and most well-known companies in all of RC racing. They have an impressive list of accomplishments that has been ever increasing since the company started in 1986. They were the first company to produce high quality, competitive RC cars that came pre-assembled and ready to run. Nowadays, RTR is a commonly used term in the RC community, and it was coined by Traxxas way back in the late 80's. They would go on to create the first RTR RC boat, then the first RTR nitro truck, then the first RTR nitro boat (which was also the first nitro boat with a clutch). In 1999 they unveiled the Traxxas T-maxx, which among other things was the first nitro RC car with a true forward/reverse transmission.

For the past four years, Traxxas have been the number one selling company in the worlds of RTR electric and nitro RC vehicles. Traxxas are the original manufacturers of RTR RC vehicles, and continue to produce some of the most competitive and affordably priced vehicles in the category.

One of the newest and most exciting products from Traxxas is the Slayer Pro 4X4. This short-course nitro racing truck has recently been redesigned and now has an even larger wheelbase, coming in at 26mm wider and 30mm wider than the original Slayer for an impressive total wheelbase of 14 inches long. This is a 4WD vehicle with the extremely powerful TRX 3.3 racing engine that features the Traxxas EZ-Start electronic starting system. It can reach speeds of over 50mph right out of the box and is simple to control with its 2.4Ghz remote. The remote features the revolutionary Traxxas Link system that uses no channels and no crystals. It is fully programmable for settings like steering, braking and throttle sensitivity.

Those looking for a hardy monster truck will love the Traxxas Stampede VXL. The Stampede is one of the most popular products from Traxxas and is available in many different variations. This particular model is the electric, non-4X4 version. It takes the classic Stampede formula and adds the raw power of the Velineon Brushless Power System. This allows the truck to reach speeds of over 65mph. The Velineon system is one of the simplest brushless systems on the market and allows the user to simply plug in and start ripping. It also accepts and extremely wide range of batteries, including the new 3-cell LiPo packs. The Stampede VXL is also completely waterproof so mud, rain, sleet or snow will not stop this beast. It uses the same remote as the Slayer Pro, and the remote is actually programmable for up to 20 different vehicles so all of the user's settings can be stored in one remote.

Traxxas produces quite a few models that are officially licensed by the Ford Motor Company. These include Ken Block's Ford Fiesta, an F-150 Raptor and the Mustang Boss 302. This is a 1:16 scale electric RC car with a licensed body that replicates the real Mustang Boss 302. It is equipped with a Velineon 380 brushless motor that allows the car to reach speeds of over 30mph stock, and over 50mph with a few basic upgrades. The servo is also sealed in waterproof housing to prevent any nasty accidents. Rocker actuated coil-over shocks and full-time 4WD are featured on this car as well, and it makes an excellent machine for perfecting those power slides.

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