A Review of Collaborative Research between the University of Auckland and Ford New Zealand Alloy Wheel Plant

In this paper we provide a brief overview of collaborative research between the University of Auckland and Ford NZ Alloy Wheel Plant over the last decade. Specifically we concentrate on the areas of structural finite element analysis, and optimisation of the casting process through solidification modelling. The main outcomes of the work are that structural finite element analysis has become part of the design process, and that the solidification modelling has resulted in an increase in production rates, and greater insight into the die filling process.