December’s lecture for the West Midlands Branch was the “Development of the Austempered Ductile Iron Unimog 3-Point Linkage Power Link Lift Arm“ and was presented by Dr. Arron Rimmer of ADI Treatments Ltd, pictured above left, alongside Branch President Wendy Bennett FICME.
Arron spoke about the development of the austempered ductile iron, ADI, part which was designed to replace a welded, nine-piece fabricated steel 3-point linkage lift arm application.
More than 34 members and guests gathered in person and on-line to hear a very well-presented, interesting, and professional technical lecture / webinar.
By converting the part from a fabrication to a casting in ADI, the new design is four times stronger in the critical areas, whilst being lighter, and features a revised shape that made the lifting arm more robust than the original steel fabrication.
This project, which was a collaboration between the customer Atkinson Vos, ADI Treatments Ltd, and The Boro’ Foundry, supported by Partline and Lancaster University, and the cast component was the winner of the Cast Metals Federation (CMF) Component of the Year Award in 2022 at the Best of British Annual Awards Dinner.
The talk was followed by a Q&A with some very interesting questions, which clearly demonstrated Arron’s clear knowledge and understanding of the supply chain as well as the technicalities required for the control of ADI heat treatments.
The branch thanked Arron in our usual way with a round of applause.
The hot buffet which was enjoyed by all was also kindly sponsored by ADI Treatments Ltd.
