TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY- METH 1002

ASSIGNMENT 4: WEIGHT REDUCTION PROBLEM

BY : ANDEY GIRIDHAR (0797349)

QUESTION :
Use your knowledge of Specific Gravity to calculate the potential weight savings by r
eplacing some
of the steel in the vehicle with other materials.
SOLUTION :
PART SECLECTED : BICYCLE FRAME
Description of part :
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, onto which wheels and other com
ponents are
fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on
the safety
bicycle, and consists of two triangles: a main triangle and a paired rear triangle
Most of the manufactures use Aluminium i.e (Ai 2014) rods as they are subject to wh
ole loads and
it balance stress . The construction of frame is simple.
Solution Strategy :
The analysis of weight reduction I have taken a sample design with known volume , s
urface area,
mass and density. I used SOLID WORKS Software to make changes for part material
and I have
noted all mechanical properties and reading for three samples and I compared those r
eading.
REQUIED EQUATIONS :
The main factor is to do weight reduction of a part which can be done by using specifi
c gravity of
material used
Specific gravity = density of given material / density of reference substance
3

The reference substance is water with density = 1000 kg/m or 0.0361273 lbs / in
Specific gravity of water = 1
3

Density = mass / volume( kg/m or lb/in

Mass = density * volume , kg or lbs

Properties of reference part :

Material : Aluminium 2014
Density : 0.10 pounds / in

Mass : 1.80 pounds

Volume : 17.82 in3
Surface area : 769.86 in

Specific gravity of aluminium part : mass desity of aluminium /mass density of water
=

0.10/0.361277

0.277

Sample :2
Material : titanium
Density : 0.17 pounds / in

Mass : 2.96 pounds

Volume : 17.82 in

Surface area : 769.86 in

Specific gravity of aluminium part : mass desity of aluminium /mass density of water
=

0.17/0.361277

0.4705

Sample :3
Material : carbon fiber
Density : 0.07 pounds / in

Mass : 1.29 pounds

3

Volume : 17.82 in
2
Surface area : 769.86 in
Specific gravity of aluminium part : mass desity of aluminium /mass density of water
=

0.07/0.361277

0.1937

Weight reduction :
Percentage of weight reduction (% w) = weight of aluminium part weight of carbon fi
ber
Weight of aluminium part

= 1.80 1.29/1.80
= 28.33%
Percentage of weight reduction (% w) = weight of aluminium part weight of titanium
Weight of aluminium part
= 1.80 2.96/1.80
= -62.77% ( increase of weight)
CONCLUSION :
According to the above analysis I got to know that when I replace my part mate
rial with titanium
weight has been increased and I when change the material to carbon fiber the
weight reduction is
around 28.33% which is satisfactory . so, I change my part material to carbon fi
ber .

SOLID WORKS DATA USED :

REFERENCE : ALUMINIUM 2014
SAMPLE 1: TITANIUM

SAMPLE 2 : CARBON FIBER