At SuperPro, we innovate

The advantage of using polyurethane or poly over rubber in the creation of suspension components has impressed engineers and designers so much so that it has become a preferred material for many new and creative concepts involving suspension technology. Polyurethane is now extensively used by Original Equipment Manufacturers in new vehicles and to rectify inherent design flaws in many applications, particularly in high performance vehicles, without changing the actual design of the suspension.

Below is a list of some of the technology that delivers the SuperPro advantage:

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Dynamic roll control

Body roll can be controlled a number of ways including with sway bars or stabilisar bars. Another way involves thoughtful and intelligent geometry changes.

SuperPro understand the different elements that contribute to body roll and provide all the popular roll control product solutions plus their Dynamic Roll Control technology. Modern vehicles extensively use MacPherson Strut front suspension systems that tend to increase body roll with increased roll. Dynamic Roll Control products correct this geometry to reduce body roll for all types of applications.

Polyurethane material

The specially blended Polyurethane used in SuperPro products has specific mechanical properties that make it extremely successful in its applications. The combined properties of extreme resistance to abrasion, low compression set, high tear strength, and a resistance to oils and solvents.

This makes SuperPro ideal for most automotive applications, primarily because of the material's tendency to lead to a resilient product that is highly versatile in its various applications.

 

DuroBall metal-poly hybrid

Vertical pivot bushes are now very commonly used by OEM engineers to precisely locate control arm pivot points to the chassis. This solution provides great benefits in location precision but has its own inherent weaknesses that can lead to premature failure.

SuperPro has developed a unique metal and polyurethane hybrid design for this demanding application. Combining the core strengths of SuperPros engineered polyurethane coupled with a specialised metal ball joint, the DuroBall design delivers all the benefits of a vertical pivot solution with greater durability and service life.  

Supaloy metalwork

Crush tubing is an integral component of the suspension bushing system and is necessary for free pivoting. The crush tubes are made to precision tolerances to ensure precise fits are maintained. Where possible, SuperPro uses high-stress, corrosion resistant and hard-anodised Supaloy. This new leaner, lighter alloy solution helps lower weight, fuel usage and running costs while improving service life and reliability.

Other metal components are made from engineered steels and zinc plated for corrosion protection and appearance.

In some applications SuperPro incorporates end knurls and hardened tubes to provide positive location. Where required, SuperPro products provide precision machined steel shells to allow the installer to quickly and easily replace worn components.

 

The double helix

The double helix design feature has led to marked improvements in SuperPro products. The double helix is used in two applications - firstly on the inside of the bush, and secondly on the outside diameter of the crush tube.

The first design of the double helix is used primarily on shackle bushes to provide a region for grease to travel along. This allows a boundary layer of grease to form between the inside diameter of the bush and the outside diameter of the tube. The double helix is extremely successful in greaseable shackles as the grease can travel from the center of the bush along the helix and out to the grease grooves in the head of the bush.

Knurling

Knurling is used to enable unrestricted pivoting of the polyurethane bush around the crush tube or any other mating steel surfaces. The knurling has inherent design advantages - reducing the surface area of polyurethane in contact with the crush tube, which results in less frictional force being developed.

The design of the SuperPro knurl bore combined with the integral grease retention lips, keeps the lubricating grease intact for the life of the bushing, and eliminates the necessity for periodic re-greasing.

 

Bullet grooves and voiding

Bullet grooves are incorporated in the design of SuperPro bushes to allow for variances in control arm or spring eyes. The voiding and bullet grooves also allow for the transgression of displaced polyurethane into the volume of the grooves as the loads of normal vehicle operation are applied.

Even though polyurethane is in a solid form when it is manufactured into bushes, its unique properties enable it flow in a manner similar to a liquid when loaded. The action of the bush flowing into its voids prevents the generation of noise, vibration and harshness within the bush and its mount.

Tangential grease grooves in head

The tangential grease grooves in the heads of shackle bushes reduce the friction between the head of the bush and the shackle plates. The grooves store grease, which is smeared around the mating surfaces when the spring shackles rotate, forming a lubrication boundary layer. This has the effect of minimising head friction and reducing noise.

 

 

Research and Development

The Research and Development process for SuperPro products constantly gathers information and feedback to provide continuous product improvements. Superpro constantly re-engineers and tests its products on their own fleet of passenger vehicles and Four Wheel Drives.

Cyclic testing is performed using specifically designed testing equipment, to offer valuable information on the life and durability of SuperPro products. Australia's diversely unique conditions provide the perfect testing ground for SuperPro products. Encompassing everything from extreme heat, dust, and harsh roads to race circuits, rally tracks, speedways and drag strips, SuperPro products are extensively tested in a variety of conditions to ensure the highest quality performance and reliability. SuperPro products are also further tested in the diverse climates of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Middle East, South Pacific, UK and USA.

NVH Reduction

At SuperPro, we use nominally 70,80 and 90 Shore A material and have adopted a policy of progressive hardness reduction, using sophisticated polymers, design and casting techniques to eliminate noise, vibration and harshness. It is in this noise vibration harshness area that we concentrate our greatest developmental efforts towards. For example, SuperPro research may indicate a particular shackle bushing could produce less noise if its flat sections are replaced by grooved sections. The benefits of a dedicated R&D team has provided on countless occasions new findings that allow finer control of Diametral interference and preload, which minimises bending or other stresses on mating parts, which leads to less probability of cracking or breakage.