Automotive Products
Foxtec-Ikhwezi manufactures suspension struts and tie rod ends for Audi and Mercedes Benz in East London, South Africa.
The production plant started in 2006 with assembly ready forged aluminium suspension link arms for the W204 C-Class. In 2008 supply of suspension link arms for the W212 E-Class was added and Foxtec-Ikhwezi also began making suspension parts for various high performance AMG models in 2008. Suspension cross struts for the X204 GLK and tie rods for the R231 SL-Class models were also additions to the line of products made for Mercedes Benz.
The W205 C-Class and W213 E-Class are the latest addition to the line of suspension link arms (tie rods, track rods and camber arms) manufactured in East London for all Mercedes Benz assembly plants.
Materials
With our aluminium alloy, we achieve the synthesis of high strength, low weight and reliable safety.
Material Information
Forging Techniques
Our forging facility is equipped with a press boasting a press force 1600t.
The Foxtec-Ikhwezi hot die-forging is a process ensuring the highest quality and reproducibility.
We continually improve our forging technology and invest in additional capacities. Thus, we are always one step ahead of our customers' requirements.
All tooling used in the process is designed by our parent company, Otto-Fuchs KG in Germany, who have over 100 years of forging experience thus ensuring flexibility and independance.
Ensuring the optimum mechanical properties are achieved from the material used in the manufacture of our components, fully automated heat treatment furnaces are used to maximize strength.
In-line continuous cleaning facility ensures the aesthetic appearance of our parts is maintained, further adding to the quality of our produced components.
Machining Techniques
Our machining facilities consist of 3 Fully automated 4 axis CNC machines with a machining capacity of 1050 parts per hour. A bush press machine located at each CNC machine inserts the rubber bushes into the machined component to the correct depth and position. The force required to insert the bush is measured 100% to ensure the desired specifications are achieved consistently.
ABB robots are used to synchronize the manufacturing process within the cell ensuring optimum production outputs are achieved repeatedly.
Accuracy, repeatability and quality are non-negotiables in the manufacturing process, ensuring these safety critical parts are produced to the customers requirements.