COBAPRESS™
From the French for “COuler (Pouring) > BAsculer (Tilting) > PRESSer (Pressing)”
This patented technology is perfectly suited to weight-reduction, mechanical strength and freedom of design requirements for suspension parts.
Over 100 millions COBAPRESS™ parts manufactured until today
Description of the COBAPRESS™: this hybrid process consists of casting a preform and hitting it one time with a forging press.
Advantages over casting
- Improves material quality and properties : E155 ASTM < 1
- Eliminates internal defects and optimizes mechanical properties
- Reduces weight thanks to improved mechanical properties
- Excellent fatigue resistance thanks to the skin effect of the COBAPRESS™ technology (scientific publication)
- Stable process enables frequency control in mass production
- Perfect cohesion of metal inserts
Advantages over forging
- Alloy that is more economical and recyclable
- Use of pins made possible, which reduces weight and machining costs
- Reduces weight thanks to greater freedom of design
- Allows production of more complex shapes
- Stable process ensures improved quality control in mass production
- Perfect cohesion of metal inserts
The characterization of the COBAPRESS™ process has been the subject of several scientific publications. The summary below provides a better understanding of the transformations produced during the manufacturing cycle and the subsequent results.
Typical parts manufactured
COBAPRESS™ is particularly suitable for safety critical parts such as suspension and chassis parts: knuckles and wheels carriers, control arms, damper fork, yoke, clevis, bi-material brake disc, suspension bracket, helmet…
The COBAPRESS™ as a basis for innovation
The latest innovations in weight reduction
Two innovations at an advanced stage of maturity (Technology Readiness Level > 6) are currently offered:
- The COBAPRESS™ Optimal (Optimized alloy) is a variant that offers mechanical properties improved by around 25%.
- The Hollow COBAPRESS™ is a variant that optimizes weight and stiffness while retaining the advantages of COBAPRESS™
For more information about these two innovations, please request further documentation: