 |
| Cast ECOFORM® piston |
 |
The ECOFORM® piston concept developed by MAHLE for cast pistons is the benchmark in terms of weight reduction. With this concept, a new casting technology in the pin axis enables large recesses for the ring belt and hence a considerable reduction in the piston weight. In comparison with pistons from 1996, a reduction between 20 and 25 percent of the oscillating masses can be achieved with the combination of MAHLE ECOFORM® pistons and keystone connecting rods. The inclination of the box walls enables relatively large skirt widths in the lower region and improves the stress distribution in the support area. Compared with only inclined drawn side cores, the weight reduction turns out to be greater and the flow of force in the pin boss is not disrupted.
For the next generation of lightweight pistons-the EVOTEC® piston-familiar principles of the ECOFORM® piston were further developed. Additional changes relating to the skirt connection, enlarged recesses behind the ring belt on the pin axis, an asymmetrical skirt width as well as supporting ribs on the pin axis result in further weight reductions of up to ten percent compared to the relatively lightweight ECOFORM® piston-while increasing the load-bearing capacity.