Saint-Gobain has invested in a new steering yoke test rig at its German factory in Willich, near Duesseldorf. The rig, which is currently being commissioned, will assist the company’s R&D efforts by testing Norglide bearings in OEM steering yoke applications over a wide temperature range. The goal of the bearing, as ever, is to minimize the stick/slip effect and provide a consistent column feel as the steering wheel turns.
Saint-Gobain has also revealed that it plans to extend the chassis applications for its bearings and tolerance rings in the future, with brake and suspension systems set to benefit from the technologies. It’s thought that NVH in electric parking brake applications is one area that might benefit for the company’s friction-control expertise.
