Clean as a Whistle
The constant drive for improved performance and efficiency results in greater loads being placed on the rotating parts of an engine. The ability to manufacture clean components free from contamination is a key factor to producing a reliable internal combustion engine whether it is used on land, on water or in the air.
In the past solvent based cleaning processes where adopted to remove contamination but research has proven that they may not be as effective as first thought and they are not friendly to the environment. For these reasons Ilmor has invested in a Durr, environmentally friendly, aqueous cleaning machine for the critical task of intermediate and final cleaning of parts.
The Durr cleans and dries components by using a combination of high-power injection flood washing, ultrasonics, rotation and oscillation movements, vacuum drying and a cartridge filter for extra fine cleaning. It is waste water free so satisfies Ilmor’s environmental commitments and employs a sophisticated microprocessor control to ensure process repeatability in order to support our stringent quality standards.
By using customizable control programs the precise cleaning requirements for each component are developed which saves time, reduces cost and gives our customers the confidence to place their work with our machine shop.
Raising The Quality Bar
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In order to support our engineer’s and customer’s increasing demands for higher quality and tighter tolerances, we are pleased to announce that Tony Thain has joined Ilmor Engineering as our Head of Quality. Tony’s appointment will further strengthen our quality team and his many years experience working for a top level Formula 1 team will no doubt prove to be invaluable.
We have also invested in a new mid-sized co-ordinate measuring machine to compliment and ease the workload on the existing large Zeiss and compact DEA machines. Additional quality personnel have been recruited to support the expansion and the demands placed by our ever expanding machine shop and growing customer base. As aerospace work now represents a significant proportion of our turnover it is crucial that we have the resources to satisfy both our external customers and our own racing engine programs.
Chevy Indy V-6 Triumphant in Toronto
For the second time this season, a Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 driver scored his third consecutive win in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Ryan Hunter-Reay extended his winning streak from the ovals of Milwaukee and Iowa by taking the victory around the streets of Toronto.
Hunter-Reay led 36 laps of the 85-lap race on the 1.75-mile, 11 turn temporary circuit and it was the Andretti Autosport driver’s eighth overall career win.
Drivers using the the Ilmor designed and manufactured Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 filled three of the top-five positions and the Chevy Indy V-6 continues to lead the engine manufacturers championship having won seven out of the ten races completed so far.
Team Penske Chevrolet driver Will Power, who also won three consecutive races earlier in the season, came into Toronto the points leader. But, debris on the track causing a flat tire, and contact late in the race relegated him to the 15th finishing position.