Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I just had a chance tour a plant that make air compressors for cummins... . They are the sole supply of air compressors for the larger engines... ... There shipping about 600 pieces a day for those engines equipped with air brakes... These compressors are gear driven off the front of the engine and use turbocharged air to supply fresh air to the turbo... . They ship these air compressors to the engine build plant for installation on new engines and to supply the parts program as well... . actually the ISB engine gets this compressor as well when the truck chassis is equated with air brakes... .
Out of the last 44K units they've had like 3 failures that were their fault... . but for a while they had a group of compressors come back for warranty consideration and were full of metal chips...
They traced it back to problems when the intake manifold is made and metal chips left in the intake during the machining process and not being cleaned out before assembly..... Anyway there were a few failures..... they won't say how many but were actually the fault of the vendor who makes the intake manifold. And in an engine plant there isn't a lot of time to wash parts... they are supposed to come in ready for install. .
Next to this plant was a plant that Holset Turbo's are assembled in..... I walked by the window as several were being tested in what looked like a warranty return lab..... I tapped on a window and asked if our group could have a quick tour... . and was told to call and make an appointment... ..... Our friend with the ID was standing next to me..... So maybe next time...
The issue that I'm trying to get across was their honesty in telling us the truth and how the vertical integration is such that honest and open lines of communication is available to all vendors... And their trying to get problems into the ppm... . parts per million.....
Anyway I enjoyed the trip and tour and thought I'd share it with you.....
Jim
Out of the last 44K units they've had like 3 failures that were their fault... . but for a while they had a group of compressors come back for warranty consideration and were full of metal chips...
They traced it back to problems when the intake manifold is made and metal chips left in the intake during the machining process and not being cleaned out before assembly..... Anyway there were a few failures..... they won't say how many but were actually the fault of the vendor who makes the intake manifold. And in an engine plant there isn't a lot of time to wash parts... they are supposed to come in ready for install. .
Next to this plant was a plant that Holset Turbo's are assembled in..... I walked by the window as several were being tested in what looked like a warranty return lab..... I tapped on a window and asked if our group could have a quick tour... . and was told to call and make an appointment... ..... Our friend with the ID was standing next to me..... So maybe next time...
The issue that I'm trying to get across was their honesty in telling us the truth and how the vertical integration is such that honest and open lines of communication is available to all vendors... And their trying to get problems into the ppm... . parts per million.....
Anyway I enjoyed the trip and tour and thought I'd share it with you.....
Jim
