AE®

The current AE ® range is one of the largest and most comprehensive available.  Every component is not just manufactured to OE-quality standards, it is specified with a deep understanding of the materials and their interfaces so that long-term performance and durability are guaranteed.

AE has over 35 years of manufacturing experience in engine parts, which has enabled the development of the widest range of components available from any single source.

AE Product Range

• Valves
• Valve guides
• Valve seats
• Camshafts

Latest news

Overall, AE is focused on strategies to reduce CO2 emissions.  The “top engine components”, a group of technologies, are designed to precisely meter the flow in and out of a combustion chamber.

• All AE valves are tested for roundness and concentricity
• Every single AE ® valve is laser marked with an AE® part number for easy identification

Unique to the brand

• OE quality engine range backed up by extensive research and development for optimal performance
• Advanced manufacturing plants across the world, dedicated to meeting the needs of the automotive industry
• AE quality, offering a 2-year warranty that is second to none
• AE’s constant range development program ensures the AE product range to evolve and expand continuously, responding directly to manufacturer and customer needs
• Able to implement parts into the range within as little as four months from initial request to received stocks

History

Founded in 1947, the company was originally known as Associated Engineering Holding Ltd. In 1968 the company became AE Autoparts Ltd. based in Bradford, England. From 1973 to 1982 AE expanded its product portfolio to include valve-train, cam-train, pumps and timing products and even received the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1978.  By 2013, AE® valves product range covered 90% of the European vehicle park. 

Top Engine products

The quality and precision of components associated with the cylinder head – known as ‘top-engine’ – are vital to ensure effective management of fuel, air and combustion. Turbocharging, engine downsizing, stop/start systems and other techniques for CO2 reduction are driving up temperatures and pressures while rising biofuel contents contribute to an even more aggressive top-engine environment. Only components that employ OE design expertise, with the latest combinations of advanced materials and very high manufacturing quality, can provide the performance and durability that professional engine technicians demand.

Engine valves

Engine valves are precision components design to seal inlet & exhaust ports of an engine. They are one of the most stressed parts enduring very high temperatures, responding to rapid movements, forming an effective seal and being reliable for thousands of hours of service:

• Operating in temperatures more than 800°C
• Close and open 33 times per second at 4000rpm
• Withstand combustion pressure generate up to 2500 PSI
  
  With all this, engine valves must be able to
  
• Withstand high pressures
• Maintain their shape and strength
• Continue to function despite rapid changes in temperatures
• Resist damage from burning, erosion, chemical corrosion and oxidation

Quick look benefits

By using high quality AE valves, repairers can effectively fulfill these requirements and achieve as good as new specification engine rebuild, AE offers the following

• Special alloy steels, austenitic/martensitic steels & Nimonic alloys
• Bi-metallic, mono-metallic and sodium filled, dependent on requirements of the application
• Surface coating - chrome, triple chrome and nitride
• Hardened (stellite) seats and tip
• Pre-finished seat - eliminates the need for lapping-in

Technology highlights 1

Mono-metallic valves are manufactured from a single piece of metal. The main material selection criteria are high resistance to heat and good sliding properties. Bi-metallic valves are manufactured from two different materials to achieve the best combination for stem and head, used mainly in exhaust valve application.  Head material chosen for high temperature strength, hot corrosion resistance and stem material chosen for high hardness giving better resistance to wear.

Technology highlights 2

Sodium-Filled hollow valves are used for 2 main reasons:

• Primarily to reduce temperature from the valve head area
• To reduce weight
  
  To reduce temperature; 60% of the valve cavity is filled with metallic sodium which melts at approximately 97°C and during valve operating condition, the liquid sodium moves up and down the valve cavity transferring heat away from the valve head to the valve stem, thus increasing heat dissipation via the valve guide. Hollow valves are lighter in weight due to the design, weight reduction between 6% and 16% is possible, depending on the type of hollow valve.

Benefit 1

• Temperature reduction in the valve underhead region between 80°C to 150°C

Benefit 2

• Heat dissipation reduced from the seat and transferred through to the guide by 20%

Benefit 3

• Weight reduction by up to 16%

Engine valve guides and seats

AE valve guides and seats are produced from a wide range of high-quality materials, including various bronze and cast iron materials for guides and nickel based premium materials for seats, offering one of the most comprehensive application coverage. 

Valve guides play a vital role in the engine by absorbing 25% of the total engine-generated heat. AE guides are produced from material which offer excellent wear resistance and good thermal conductivity. 

Valve seats absorb 75% of the total heat generated by the valve heat and thus AE seats are produced from high quality materials including nickel-based alloys. 

Quick look benefit

AE valve guides are fully finished, ready to fit into the cylinder head without any further machining, however in all cases the valve guide bore should be measured after fitting to ensure the correct valve stem to valve guide clearance.

Camshaft

Camshafts use lobes – or cams – that push against the intake and exhaust valves to open them in time with the motion of the piston as the camshaft rotates. Springs on the valves return them to their closed position.

Quick look benefit

AE’s camshafts and kits are produced from carefully selected materials including alloy steel, carbon steel, low-carbon steel, grey cast iron and chilled cast iron.

Cam Follower

Trace the surface of the cams. As the cams turn, the followers/lifters transmit the motion to the required mechanism.

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We are not liable for any damages resulting from your reliance on this content.