From Forge to Chassis

Following our in-depth discussions last fall in Denklingen, we recently had the opportunity to visit the Hirschvogel Group team at their aluminum forging facility in Marksuhl.

Our workshop was based on a benchmark study by |TRE| on current vehicle architectures from various OEMs, in which the material usage of key chassis components was systematically analyzed. Building on this, we worked with our colleagues at Hirschvogel to identify specific opportunities for using modern aluminum forged components in current vehicle platforms—particularly in high-load structural and chassis components.

A particular highlight was the tour of the forging shop. Our team was impressed by the innovative strength and vertical integration at Hirschvogel—and by the complex geometries and functionally integrated structures that can be realized today through modern aluminum forging processes.

Aluminum forged parts offer decisive advantages, particularly in the chassis sector:
• Significant weight reduction and thus lower CO₂ emissions
• Very high specific strength and fatigue strength for safety-critical components
• Reduced unsprung mass, which has a direct positive effect on driving dynamics and comfort
• Corrosion resistance for long-lasting chassis components
• High design freedom through complex geometries and functional integration

What is particularly exciting is the combination of different areas of expertise:

While Hirschvogel opens up new possibilities in component design with its deep material and production expertise, TRE contributes its overall vehicle and chassis expertise—from simulation and system design to dynamic tuning. It is precisely at this intersection between component development and comprehensive vehicle understanding that solutions for the next generation of chassis components are born.

And because strong partnerships aren’t just forged in the workshop:
The day concluded with a joint visit to the Handball Bundesliga match between ThSV Eisenach and HC Erlangen.

Many thanks to Hirschvogel for the invitation—and for their commitment as a sponsor of ThSV Eisenach, which supports not only the Bundesliga team but also the youth program. 👏

📌 Sneak Preview:
If you’d like to delve deeper into this topic, you’re in for a treat—we’re currently collaborating on a technical article for Springer Fachmedien’s ATZ/MTZ publications, in which we’ll take a closer look at trends in modern chassis components and forged parts.

There will also be further insights at the upcoming Chassis.tech event in Munich.