CompoTech spotlights sustainable advancements in BOVENAC project

CompoTech (Sušice, Czech Republic) provides updates on its involvement in the Božek Vehicle Engineering National Center of Competence (BOVENAC) project, co-financed with the support of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, which focuses on enhancing drive shaft technology and exploring the use of eco-friendly fibers.

 

The BOVENAC project is driving advancements in the design and functionality of composite joint shafts, particularly for four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. Its goals include:

• Enhanced performance: The composite joint shaft is engineered to meet or exceed the performance of traditional longitudinal joint shafts used in 4WD vehicles.
• Weight reduction: By incorporating composite materials, the project aims to reduce the overall weight of the drive shaft, contributing to better fuel efficiency and vehicle dynamics.
• Vibration mitigation: Special attention is given to minimizing longitudinal and torsional vibrations, which can improve ride comfort and reduce wear on vehicle components.
• Integration and innovation: Composite and steel parts are either seamlessly integrated or connected using unconventional joints, potentially reducing the number or mass of other parts in the original design.

 

A significant aspect of the BOVENAC project is the exploration of eco-friendly fibers to replace traditional glass and carbon fibers in composite hollow shafts used in railway vehicle chassis. Key objectives include:

• Sustainability: Identifying and optimizing the use of ecological fibers to lower the environmental impact of composite materials.
• Production technology: Developing advanced production technologies and processing techniques to effectively use sustainable fibers.
• Environmental impact: The goal is to create composite materials with a reduced ecological footprint, contributing to more sustainable transportation solutions.