Sep 29, 2010 2:09 PM

Dana Holding Corporation has developed a technology for manufacturing lightweight, one-piece aluminum driveshafts for the commercial truck market.

The Spicer Diamond Series driveshaft weighs 40% less than traditional two-piece steel driveshafts and features fewer parts in many applications, as well as reduced noise, vibration, harshness (NVH)—all with the durability of Spicer’s Life Series and Compact Series universal-joint designs.

Dana combined steel end fittings with a single-piece aluminum tube, replacing the traditional all-steel, two-section driveshaft. This proprietary manufacturing process delivers a more robust driveshaft with lower weight: up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds). The manufacturing process for the Spicer Diamond driveshafts was developed by Dana at its technology center in Maumee OH.

Designed for heavy-duty commercial trucks using 2.3- to 3.0-meter (7.5- to 10-feet) two-piece steel driveshafts, the Diamond Series driveshaft improves vehicle efficiency while reducing installation costs by eliminating the center bearing and reducing part count from three joint connections to two.

Use of high-strength aluminum offers resistance to corrosion and improved appearance, and the one-piece design reduces component wear. There are environmental benefits, as well, because tube painting and the metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes are eliminated.

For more information, visit www.dana.com.