Vari-Form Provides Rear Suspension Trailing Arms for Volkswagen

Vari-Form Corporation (Livonia, MI) is an important supplier in the revolutionary Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture developed by Volkswagen Group. They use Pressure-Sequence Hydroforming technology to produce right and left trailing arms for the rear suspension system of the Golf A7. Consistent with the MQB strategy of standardizing structures and components across vehicle classes, their trailing arms will subsequently be utilized for variants of the Golf A7.

Vari-Form pioneered the application of tubular hydroforming to produce body-in-white and chassis components, and has met the challenge of producing these trailing arms to extremely tight Volkswagen tolerances. “We are privileged to be part of the evolution of MQB,” said Dean Gericke, the director of engineering for Vari-Form. “Because our components are essential to vehicle performance, we had to meet tough specifications. We look forward to contributing our expertise to the Volkswagen Group on upcoming platforms.”

The latest evolution of modular assembly, MQB takes a kit approach to vehicle architecture. By standardizing structures and components for vehicle systems, elements can be used across a broad spectrum of automotive brands and sizes without time-consuming redesign or retooling. MQB trailing arms are good examples of how structures that are hydroformed from closed-section tube maintain inherent strength while permitting cross-section changes along the part. Noting that these are important load-bearing structures, Gericke emphasized the importance of maintaining critical tolerances throughout the hydroforming process.

Vari-Form also produces the hydroformed trailing arms for Multimatic Inmetmatic in Mexico, where the arms are further processed and shipped to a Volkswagen assembly facility.

www.vari-form.com