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Customized DeHoff 1024C Produces Lighter Axles for Electric F-150s

Appears in Print as: 'Customized Gundrilling Maching Produces Lighter Axles for F-150s'


The machine enables a Tier-1 supplier to produce lighter axles in large volumes for use in the F-150's all-wheel drive electric layout.

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The DeHoff 1024C machine enables a Tier-1 supplier to produce lighter axles in large volumes for use in the F-150's all-wheel drive electric layout.

The DeHoff 1024C machine enables a Tier-1 supplier to produce lighter axles in large volumes for use in the F-150's all-wheel drive electric layout.

Kays Engineering customized its DeHoff 1024C machine for gundrilling the axles of the new all-electric Ford F-150 pickup truck. The machine enables a Tier-1 supplier to produce lighter axles in large volumes for use in the F-150's all-wheel drive electric layout.

The 1024C has a gundrilling capacity of as much as 1" (25.4 mm) and slide travel of as much as 24" (610 mm). It features six gundrilling spindles on a single machine base, and utilizes adjustable tailstocks and hydraulic workpiece clamping. The axles are automatically loaded and unloaded using a lift-and-carry material handling system.

The machine features steel box ways and hand-scraped mating components. This is said to result in superior vibration damping, extended tool life and improved surface finish.