Driveshaft Engineered to Reduce Weight and Extend Life
Dana Holding Corporation (NYSE: DAN) unveiled the Spicer® Compact Plus Series™ driveshaft for trucks from eight to 60 tonnes (9 to 66 tons) at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2014. Designed to help commercial vehicles meet increasingly stringent global environmental regulations, this next-generation driveshaft offers innovative engineering advancements that reduce weight and increase the life of the driveshaft.
The redesigned Spicer Compact Plus Series driveshaft weighs 10 percent less than competing driveshafts, contributing to better overall vehicle fuel economy. Through a new innovative sealing design and improved bearing life, this pioneering driveshaft is designed to last 25 percent longer than traditional driveshafts, significantly decreasing total ownership costs over the life of the
vehicle.
Engineered to meet global market requirements, this line of driveshafts will be initially targeted for the European market.
“The Spicer Compact Plus Series driveshaft leverages numerous innovations specifically engineered to increase the lifespan of the driveshaft and reduce driveline weight,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “This combination of enhancements to our widely trusted line of driveshafts contributes to better overall vehicle efficiency, performance, and reliability.”
This all-new driveshaft will replace Dana’s Spicer® Compact Series™ driveshaft, which has been long known in the European market for its best-in-class torque capacity, compact and lightweight design, and industry-proven durability.
The Spicer Compact Plus Series driveshaft provides torque capacity up to 35,000 Nm in a more lightweight package than its predecessor. It reduces axial sliding forces by 18 percent over previous models, which improves component life by decreasing stress on the bearings and the heads. The tubeseat diameter of the Spicer Compact Plus Series driveshaft remains the same as the current Spicer Compact Series Model 2000 driveshaft, but modified tubeseat and welding features enable a reduction in wall thickness, further decreasing weight.
About Dana Holding Corporation
Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving three primary markets – passenger vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway equipment – Dana provides the world’s original-equipment manufacturers and
the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities. Founded in 1904 and based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs 23,000 people in 26 countries on six continents. In 2013, Dana generated sales of $6.8 billion.