BorgWarner to make variable cam timing in Chennai plant
As the introduction of BS-VI emission norms is round the corner, all the OEMs and component manufactures are gearing up to bring in new technologies and localise them. BorgWarner, a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, recently expanded its Kakkalur facility near Chennai by installing a new line to manufacture advanced engine timing and variable cam timing (VCT). With the expanded 1,500 sqm of manufacturing space to its existing 35,100 sqm facility, BorgWarner is ready to
meet the increasing demand from the steadily growing Indian automotive market, meeting BSVI norms. It is also preparing to supply to the growing Southeast Asian automotive market.
BorgWarner plans to deploy the VCT technology with a major global and domestic automaker on diesel and gasoline applications. According to the company, the VCT technology improves engine efficiency, performance and fuel economy. The new production line will be complementing the existing global facilities producing VCT technology and will help the company meet the global customer needs with local production. Apart from new VCT, the Kakkalur facility has been producing silent and roller chains, tensioners, and other products for variable valve timing applications. It can produce about 3 million automotive chains a year.
Al Moster, Director, Application Engineering, Product Manager, Chain & TSC, BorgWarner Morse Systems said, “Our VCT system contributes greatly to making engines considerably more efficient while reducing emissions and enhancing performance. The new VCT line at the Chennai plant complements a number of existing global facilities producing VCT technology and strengthens BorgWarner’s ability to support global customers with local production. We are now ideally positioned to support car manufacturers in complying
with the new regulations which aim to increase technological development to improve fuel economy, innovation, environmental protection and energy efficiency as well as the quality and safety of vehicles and auto parts produced in India.”
VCT is used in engines to advance or delay intake or exhaust valve timing. Consequently, intake or exhaust valve timing may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions to increase combustion efficiency and decrease emissions. Additionally, engine power output may be increased across a wider range of engine operating conditions. A VCT mechanism varies the phase of the valve opening and closing relative to the crankshaft as a function of engine operating conditions. Depending on the camshaft (exhaust, intake, or both) being actuated, 4 types of variable cam timing systems are available: intake-only; exhaustonly, where only intake or exhaust valve timing is varied; dual-equal, where intake and exhaust timing is varied equally; and dual-independent, where the intake and exhaust timings are varied independently.
The Kakkalur plant, originally established as a joint venture in 2002, became a wholly-owned BorgWarner entity in 2008. “We are excited to open our new line for producing more advanced technologies designed to help customers meet new BS-VI emission regulations. To meet the new emission norms all the OEMs are refreshing their products and most of them are trying to bring new engines for their vehicles. Therefore by producing the VCT locally will be a win-win situation,” R Murali, Director and Plant Head, BorgWarner Morse Systems India, said.
So far Morse Systems was mainly focusing on passenger car applications. Now the company is in talks with some commercial vehicle manufacturers for their LCV business. Murali said, “Currently we are working with a couple of CV makers so the focus for us will be both on passenger cars and LCV business.”