Development of the Rear Axle Shaft for ATVs

There has been an on-going effort to localize Japanese-developed and -manufactured ATV parts in the U.S.A.. In order to achieve this goal, the differences between Japanese and American raw materials, quality control, and production methods were analyzed. The information acquired in each of these areas was utilized to solve the problems created by those differences. As a result, great steps have been taken in the local procurement of ATV parts.

Initially, Japanese raw material was investigated. The results of this investigation, coupled with the technical requirements of the axle, were used in the selection of several potential U.S. raw materials. The adopted testing method, “Rotating Beam Bending Fatigue Testing,” was utilized to evaluate and determine which U.S. raw material was best qualified for this application. Finally, it was determined that manufacture of the axle shaft using a similar American raw material required modification of the original dimensions and shape of the axle in order to meet all of the test requirements.