GREETINGS
Dear Customers,
Our sister company, SMW Engineering (SMW), specializes in the development, manufacture and supply of lightweight applications deploying proprietary and generic magnesium, titanium and aluminum-based specialized alloys and hybrid materials. Our team of engineers is able to considerably reduce the weight of an existing or newly-designed part by utilizing lighter alloys and by implementing proprietary manufacturing processes - such as cutting-edge forging and extrusion technologies enhanced by innovative heat treatment techniques. The hexagonal crystal structure makes deformation processes rather difficult and costly (a major challenge), but the material's properties and microstructure can be modified in desirable ways as a result of stresses imposed by forming. Additional weight optimization may also be achieved through redesign and by factoring in the mechanical properties resulting from the alloys and processes used - translating into improved performance characteristics of the final component.
Over the past 12 years we have become the world leader in forged motorcycle and automotive wheels (particularly for racing applications), having perfected the manufacturing process and are deploying specially developed Mg and Al alloys. SMW has built working relationships with some of the leading companies including BBS, Brembo, OZ, among others.
Our partners have commented on the best in class quality of our products, as well as our ability to find creative and value-added solutions for technical and engineering issues. Among SMW most recent success stories is our participation in the European Commission project to implement magnesium alloy component into Airbus aircraft. We have been supplying wheel forgings for professional motorcycle racing championship teams. Honda, Aprilia, and Ducati - have all won Superbike competitions 'wearing' our wheels. Brembo has written an appreciative reference letter after years of successful collaboration.
Benefits of wrought magnesium are numerous. By developing light-weight forged magnesium components, we help our partners produce vehicles with enhanced performance and safety features, including lower fuel consumption, lower emissions, etc. Our wheels ensure faster acceleration, much improved vibration dampening within the suspension system, and reduction in breaking distance, which actually saves lives.
The superior physical properties of magnesium alloys - strength (over 30 kgf/mm2), density (up to 1.8 g/cm3), and shock-absorbency (up to 100 times greater than aluminum alloys) - make it an exceptionally attractive material in transportation applications. We use specialized Mg and Al alloys specifically geared to each particular application. By way of example, our 17.5" x 7.5" forged Mg wheel weighs only 5 kg, making it the lightest of all available on the market.
Forged magnesium components are distinguished by highly organized and aligned grain structure. The precisely arranged flow of the metal during deformation further maximizes the final mechanical strength of the part. SMW has perfected this technology to produce high quality, high strength, and cost effective components.
There are unique advantages of our Three Dimensional Forging Process. This technology deploys a precision-crafted three-piece mould -- a 'closed' die process -- to not only secure both sides but also to form the well and the bead seat of a wheel. This technology makes for a superior forging with higher mechanical properties. The complexity of making a three-piece mould (with side sliders) operating under 10,000 -- 15,000 ton pressures provides the benefits in final properties and performance.
Additional Capabilities:
- Automotive applications manufactured from Mg and Al-Li alloys: forged and sheet-formed components
- Advanced surface treatment technologies for lightweight metals (in cooperation with Chemetall)
- Mg alloys, Al alloys, Al-LI alloys, Ti alloys - billets of various sizes
- Sheets, plates, rods, strips and profiles from Al alloys, Mg alloys, Ti alloys and other alloys
- Precise machining
- Net shape forging presses: 1250; 5000; 10,000; 15,000 and 30,000 tons
- Bending of sheets, profiles and tubes
- Advanced joining
Our engineering and R&D capabilities include:
- Surface treatment laboratory
- Mathematical modeling with CATIA, MORFEO, and DEFORM-3D forging simulation
Wherever weight, high-strength, and environment issues are critical, we are well-prepared to develop a creative, value-added solution, using state-of-the-art methods and technology.
We look forward to addressing your needs in the new year -- and will ensure most competitive pricing.
Happy holidays to you and yours and all the best wishes for 2012,
Mark Lisnyansky
ABOUT COMPANY
LIGHTEST - "Advanced Materials and Technologies for Light-Weight Applications" is a research and engineering center specializing in the development of light-weight applications using Magnesium, Aluminum-Lithium lightweight alloys and composite materials. Headquartered in Belgium, Lightest serves Aerospace, Automotive and General industries worldwide.
In 2007, Lightest became a part of Magnesium.com Inc., a renowned multi-business concern that incorporates exclusive techniques with the experience of highly-qualified designers, engineers, and metallurgists.
Through a partnership with SMW Engineering Ltd, also a part of the Magnesium.com concern, we offer state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing facilities for raw and finished forged products ranging from Aluminum and Magnesium alloys (mostly for the automotive industry and aviation), forging and pressure treatments, and casting (high-pressure casting, low pressure casting).
Since 2007, Lightest has been a R&D partner of Chemetall GmbH and uses Chemetall's laboratory facilities in Frankfurt/Main for the development of advanced surface treatment technologies. Among our industrial and research partners are EADS IW (Germany), Airbus, Adhesion Institute (The Netherlands) , ALSTOM (France), VIAM (Russia), SIRRIS (Belgium), Palbam-Alonim AMTS (Israel), DSM (Israel) and many others.
Our expertise in process development, design, metal forming and surface protection of lightweight alloys meets and exceeds the needs and expectations of our clients and has earned Lightest a place as an important and trusted partner in several international innovative project development studies, mostly in the Aeronautics and Surface Transportation Industries.
LIGHTEST recently acquired a majority stake in *_EAD-Europe_* (European
Automotive Distribution), a leading designer and maker of upscale automotive wheels and other components. The acquisition is a perfect synergie of the cutting-edge, high-tech metallurgy that LIGHTEST possesses and the impressive aesthetics and market knowledge that EAD is renowned for. EAD’s scope is in the development, manufacturing, machining, distribution and marketing of aluminum or magnesium alloy cast and forged wheels in both Monobloc and Modular form.
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