chassi

Chassi, also written as chassis, is the structural framework that forms the skeleton of a vehicle or a piece of equipment. The term comes from French châssis and is used across engineering disciplines to denote the load-bearing substructure that supports components and defines geometry.

In vehicles, the chassis provides the attachment points for the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, and braking systems. It can be a separate frame in body-on-frame designs, or a combined structure in unibody designs. Common chassis configurations include ladder frames, backbone frames, and space frames. The choice affects stiffness, weight, crash performance, and manufacturing cost. The chassis determines the vehicle's weight distribution and ride characteristics and can be engineered for specific needs, such as off-road durability or high-speed stability.

Chassis may also refer to the enclosure that houses electronics or computing hardware – the computer chassis or server chassis. In this context, it is a protective shell with mounting bays for motherboards, power supplies, storage devices, and cooling solutions, typically made from steel, aluminum, or plastics. The enclosure influences cooling efficiency, electromagnetic shielding, and upgradeability.

Materials and manufacturing: chassis structures are built from steel, aluminum, or composites; methods include welding, riveting, casting, and extrusion. Design aims to maximize stiffness and crashworthiness while minimizing weight. In some industries, the chassis and body are integrated (unibody); in others, they remain separate (body-on-frame).

Maintenance and safety: inspecting the chassis for corrosion, deformation, cracks, or misalignment is part of regular vehicle and equipment upkeep. Proper chassis design and maintenance contribute to overall performance, safety, and longevity. See also chassis in aerospace and rail contexts.