Tata Steel Partnership Helps Create Lighter, Stronger, More Efficient Tractors
03/07/2014 - Tata Steel, Europe's second largest steelmaker, has teamed up with JCB Landpower to create the company's most productive tractor yet.
Using innovative design and engineering methods Tata Steel engineers have been able to reduce the weight of the next generation of JCB Fastrac machines making them leaner on fuel consumption, able to handle bigger loads and safer than previous models while retaining the strength required by farmers around the world.
A three-way partnership involving Tata Steel, JCB Landpower, and GKN — the current manufacturer of the Fastrac 4000 tractor chassis — was formed to develop the optimally-designed next generation vehicle which was previewed recently at the Agritechnica show in Hanover, Germany.
The specifications for the next generation Fastrac included an increase in the existing load-carrying capacity, combined with a reduced turning circle. These enhancements, alongside the move to a more fuel-efficient engine, to meet strict new EU and U.S. emissions standards, called for a complete redesign of the existing chassis structure.
Historically, vehicle design has frequently focused on developing the load bearing chassis by building up strength with structural material until it is fit for purpose.
But using computer-aided engineering tools, engineers from Tata Steel worked closely with JCB Landpower and GKN Structures to design a strong chassis structure which was as light as possible. This not only helps ensure the new Fastrac remains competitive on price, but also assists with efficiency by not unduly increasing the mass or size of the chassis.
By working as a team with design and manufacturing engineers from JCB Landpower and GKN Structures from the concept phase of the design process, Tata Steel was able to create a more efficient chassis structure, including changes to the chassis rails and assessing the overall stiffness and strength of the chassis, to meet basic structural requirements.
This smarter approach to vehicle design has helped create a Fastrac tractor with a significant increase in front- and rear-load carrying capacity, with no increase in the overall weight of the chassis structure.
Phil Clements, head of lifting & excavating at Tata Steel said: “Optimizing product design from the outset is fundamental to achieving the best result, and this is why we work in partnership with our customers through our early vendor involvement program. This is the first time we have worked with JCB Landpower and GKN Structures in this way, and we hope this successful outcome paves the way for many more collaborations.”
Charles Nicklin, engineering manager JCB Landpower, said: “Working closely with our suppliers has allowed us to design a very efficient chassis structure for our new tractor program, which we hope will be very successful for all those involved. This clean sheet design and collaborative approach has allowed us to examine every detail and implement and refine new ideas to achieve our objectives.”
Darren Dobson, commercial & projects manager from GKN said: “Being involved at the concept phase and therefore being part of the decision process in terms of material selection is key to manufacturing feasibility. The collaborative approach of the program has meant that we have been able to input valuable process knowledge using design for manufacture (DFM) principles thus eliminating unnecessary process operations.”
A three-way partnership involving Tata Steel, JCB Landpower, and GKN — the current manufacturer of the Fastrac 4000 tractor chassis — was formed to develop the optimally-designed next generation vehicle which was previewed recently at the Agritechnica show in Hanover, Germany.
The specifications for the next generation Fastrac included an increase in the existing load-carrying capacity, combined with a reduced turning circle. These enhancements, alongside the move to a more fuel-efficient engine, to meet strict new EU and U.S. emissions standards, called for a complete redesign of the existing chassis structure.
Historically, vehicle design has frequently focused on developing the load bearing chassis by building up strength with structural material until it is fit for purpose.
But using computer-aided engineering tools, engineers from Tata Steel worked closely with JCB Landpower and GKN Structures to design a strong chassis structure which was as light as possible. This not only helps ensure the new Fastrac remains competitive on price, but also assists with efficiency by not unduly increasing the mass or size of the chassis.
By working as a team with design and manufacturing engineers from JCB Landpower and GKN Structures from the concept phase of the design process, Tata Steel was able to create a more efficient chassis structure, including changes to the chassis rails and assessing the overall stiffness and strength of the chassis, to meet basic structural requirements.
This smarter approach to vehicle design has helped create a Fastrac tractor with a significant increase in front- and rear-load carrying capacity, with no increase in the overall weight of the chassis structure.
Phil Clements, head of lifting & excavating at Tata Steel said: “Optimizing product design from the outset is fundamental to achieving the best result, and this is why we work in partnership with our customers through our early vendor involvement program. This is the first time we have worked with JCB Landpower and GKN Structures in this way, and we hope this successful outcome paves the way for many more collaborations.”
Charles Nicklin, engineering manager JCB Landpower, said: “Working closely with our suppliers has allowed us to design a very efficient chassis structure for our new tractor program, which we hope will be very successful for all those involved. This clean sheet design and collaborative approach has allowed us to examine every detail and implement and refine new ideas to achieve our objectives.”
Darren Dobson, commercial & projects manager from GKN said: “Being involved at the concept phase and therefore being part of the decision process in terms of material selection is key to manufacturing feasibility. The collaborative approach of the program has meant that we have been able to input valuable process knowledge using design for manufacture (DFM) principles thus eliminating unnecessary process operations.”
