Could you please explain what has led to increased weight in existing vehicle designs?
Mathias Olofsson: Demand for better protection in the face of rising threats is the major factor driving the increased weight of vehicles. Significant progress in the design and production of lightweight and advanced armour is being made, but these remain complementary aspects of vehicle protection. There is still some way to go before we see the real impacts of costeffective weight saving of vehicles while maintaining the same quality or better protection. Soldiers carried in the vehicles also require more equipment, which adds to the vehicles’ overall weight. Of course, there is the will and need to bring higher payload – in short, more munition.
How does all this added weight affect vehicle suspension?
Heavier vehicles require more force from the suspension spring, and there is a lot more energy that has to be dampened. A suspension system is usually designed for a specific vehicle weight, which means that increased weight might drastically lower the performance of the vehicle, forcing it to travel slower, or even result in broken parts. Greater forces usually mean bigger springs to handle them; if we are talking about steel springs, this means added weight and parts to the suspension systems.
Why are gas hydraulic suspension systems a good solution for heavy-duty vehicles?
They are excellent because they provide greater protective force in considerably lighter packages. This means that weight saved in suspension systems can be redistributed to other areas of the vehicle, increasing protection and enabling bigger payloads. Choosing gas hydraulic suspension systems also adds value by making the vehicle future-proof, which saves money as the vehicle’s weight can be increased without needing to change or upgrade the suspension. Heavy-duty vehicles can perform well even where the roads are very bad or do not exist at all. Having good off-road ability means long wheel strokes. So by using a gas hydraulic suspension, the vehicle is able to travel for as long as needed with very limited weight and space claim. Moreover, the suspension system reduces the vibrations on the vehicle, which not only protects the equipment from wear and tear but also provides a major benefit to troops using the vehicle. Imagine a long, arduous journey; you need to arrive with soldiers who are still in shape to do the job. Besides, when you encounter a threat, you also want to be able to get out of there as fast as possible.
In what ways can your solutions be customised to the specific needs of users?
We can tailor the spring and damper to the needs of the particular vehicle and include ride-height management if it is required. We are able to tailor solutions to meet specific demands of our customers.
Why should people choose KALLER?
There are many reasons but, essentially, we ensure that doing business with us will be carefree as we find the best solutions for customers’ needs. In addition, we offer support services such as servicing our suspension systems and providing spare parts, repairs and training. The global presence of KALLER allows us to take care of customers’ needs throughout the life cycle of the product.
What can we expect to see from KALLER in the future?
We have built a strong and reliable reputation for providing quality suspension systems for heavy-duty vehicles. We will maintain our commitment to quality as we continue to develop gas hydraulic solutions to meet and exceed all of our customers’ expectations. We keep evolving so that we can be at the forefront of product development.
