Chuck Heine
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Dana Corp.'s "incubate and deploy" method spreads the workload by assigning a key task to the best-suited global station. "We think it's a very sensible concept," said Chuck Heine, President of Engine Systems Strategic Business Unit, Dana Corp., U.S.A., of the incubate and deploy development process that originated with Dana's work on heavy-duty truck engines.
An in-process project following the incubate and deploy strategy is Dana's component contributions to the 1.6-L, four-cylinder Tritec engine, which will power the Chrysler Neon (non-U.S. market) and a BMW mini-car set to launch in April 2000. Dana assigned basic water pump technology and design to the United Kingdom, piston rings technology to the U.S., and gasket/seal technology to Germany.
For the most part, different global regions specialize in different technologies. Dana relies on its internal R&D network—17 for the engine systems group—when making a determination of which locale will be assigned the incubation work. "As an example, we've developed a number of different ways to seal an engine, and customers have their preferences—which means we go with what they've shown the most interest in," Heine said.
Germany received the nod for the gasket/seal work because MLS (multi-layer steel) technology for cylinder head gaskets was first utilized—and is generally preferred by—European customers. (North America customers typically prefer graphite and composite cylinder head gaskets.)
The process enters its deployment stage for production. In this example, the project moves to Brazil, where applications engineers handle validation and certification work. "There are always idiosyncrasies that are particular to the country where the manufacturing processes occur, and that's because you do not have exactly the same supply base as in the home country," Heine explained.
The bottom line is the product will meet the automaker's specifications and needs. "The OEM relies on us to assure that," said Heine.
Dana's incubate and deploy method is about five years old, but within the last two years has become more pervasive.
Kami Buchholz
