A torsion bar is a product of mechanical ingenuity. It acts as suspension for almost all tanks and tracked vehicles, carrying them through the battlefield in every situation for thousands of kilometres, and yet it has a very simple design. As with many things, this is a case where looks can be deceiving.

Torsion bars are made to work constantly under dynamic shear, therefore rendering most known steels useless. This situation makes material selection and validation in itself the first major challenge.

Then comes the production of a torsion bar, which requires the use of multi-disciplinary knowledge and expertise. A bar may go through more than 10 operations including multiple heat treatments, forging, machining and surface treatments. One thing that cannot be sacrificed throughout this process is precision. To avoid passing on defects from one operation to another, it is imperative to be highly competent in every step.

It took 25 years of combined production experience and rigorous R&D for Menatek Design Technologies to perfect the design and production procedures of torsion bars. What the company prioritise is reliability; the torsion bar is a very critical part and a premature failure will certainly turn a fighting vehicle into a lucrative target. Regarding this fact, Menatek Design Technologies prefers to personally handle every test under its own roof so it can provide detailed information to its customers.

Investment in innovation

The torsion bar is one of the most crucial parts belonging to the running gear of military tracked vehicles. It is basically a spring that works under torsional load. Menatek has been working on torsion bars since 2010 and the efforts of the Menatek team has turned into proficiency on manufacturing torsion bars.

"Menatek is capable of manufacturing up to 10,000 torsion bars a year, and the company is becoming more and more efficient by optimising the processes involved."

The company can now design and manufacture torsion bars for different platforms such as AAVs, IFVs and MBTs, according to vehicle specifications.

Menatek made vital investments in techniques such as robotic shot peening, induction heat treatment and cycle test benches in order to make torsion bars of a better quality. Thanks to these new capabilities, Menatek is capable of manufacturing up to 10,000 torsion bars a year, and the company is becoming more and more efficient by optimising the processes involved.

A range of builds

The company can manufacture torsion bars with a body diameter of up to 80mm, length from 1,500mm to 2,800mm and preset up to 180,000Nm.

Menatek has a wide range of torsion bars used on well-known vehicles, such as:

  • M48 MBT
  • M60 MBT
  • M88 Recovery Vehicle
  • M1 Abrams MBT
  • M2 Bradley IFV
  • M109 Howitzer
  • M113 APC
  • Leopard 1 MBT
  • Leopard 2 MBT.

The high-tech mechanical parts are the speciality of Menatek. The company will continue to invest more and more in engineering innovation. The well-disciplined and progressive team at Menatek has the promise to make unexpected progress in the defence sector.