Vehicles - Tech Blog
Deere to expand production of large tractors
Deere & Co. is investing $70 million to expand manufacturing capacity in its Waterloo, IA, operations, where large farm tractors are built for use around the world. The investment will increase capacity by more than 10% by the middle of 2013, helping Deere to better meet the continuing strong demand it sees for large tractors worldwide. Once the improvements are completed, enhancements to Waterloo facilities since 2002 will have increased manufacturing capacity for large tractors by more than 50%. Tractors built in Waterloo are shipped to more than 130 countries each year. Deere does not expect the investment to add manufacturing jobs there.
DeltaWing experimental racecar to go live at Le Mans (video)
Nissan’s goal with the DeltaWing experimental racecar is to explore new technologies for road cars. But it is a racecar, after all, and the Nissan DeltaWing will strut its motorsports stuff for the first time this June at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The automaker’s main contribution to the uniquely designed racecar is a 1.6-L four-cylinder engine employing direct injection and turbocharging. Race-prepared for the 24 Hours, the DIG-T engine produces 300 hp (224 kW) and features the same technology found in Nisan road cars such as the Juke DIG-T. See DeltaWing video here.
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With a rear-mounted engine, the DeltaWing has a strong rearward weight bias, which makes it highly maneuverable, while its light weight and slippery shape make it far more efficient, says Nissan.
VIA and Verizon to develop EVs for Verizon's fleet
Verizon and VIA Motors announced that they will collaborate to develop and demonstrate plug-in electric work vehicles using VIA's eREV (extended range electric vehicle) technology and evaluate the technology for possible wide-scale application into Verizon's fleet. The announcement was made at the National Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, where VIA demonstrated an "electrified" pickup truck and cargo van, two of the most widely used vehicles in Verizon's fleet. Both vehicles use VIA's eREV powertrain technology, enabling them to drive a majority of their daily work routes emission-free and entirely on electric power. The vehicles have up to 40 mi (64 km) of all-electric range, using lithium-ion batteries, with the capability to drive additional miles using VIA's onboard electric generator or range extender. To view a video of the plug-in electric work vehicles using VIA's proprietary eREV technology, visit this link.
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VIA anticipates the Verizon electrified work vehicles should improve fleet fuel economy up to 300% while cutting emissions in half or more.
Scania to deliver trucks to Chinese machinery producer
Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd. has ordered 375 trucks from Scania that will be used as a platform for mobile concrete pumps. The deliveries are scheduled to occur in April. The Swedish heavy truck and bus maker has delivered trucks to Zoomlion since 2008, including Zoomlion’s largest mobile concrete pumps, which have a span up to 80 m (262 ft) and are mounted on Scania’s four- and five-axle truck chassis with six-cylinder, 420- to 470-hp (313- to 351-kW) engines. The pumps are used in the construction of high-rise buildings and bridges, for example. Within its modular product system, Scania produces the truck chassis that are then customized for Zoomlion’s needs regarding bodywork and operation. Scania China has trained personnel at Zoomlion’s service workshops and has also established special teams of service technicians who can assist in the event of operational disruptions.
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Uptime and performance are key for Scania concrete pumps, which can work constantly with maximum torque for 14 hours per day. Pictured is a Scania P 380 8x4 concrete pump.
Boeing to build more Wideband Global SATCOM Satellites for USAF
Boeing received authorization from the U.S. Air Force to produce and launch the eighth and ninth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites. WGS-8 and -9 will join four other satellites that are part of the Block II series. Block II adds a switchable radio frequency bypass that enables the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than the rates available on Block I satellites. WGS-9 is being funded through a cooperative agreement that the USAF has forged with Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and New Zealand. WGS satellites are built on the Boeing 702HP platform, which features highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion, deployable thermal radiators, and advanced triple-junction gallium-arsenide solar arrays that enable high-capacity, flexible payloads.
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WGS-4, WGS-5, and WGS-6, the first WGS satellites in the Block II series, are shown from right to left undergoing final integration, test, and launch activities in November 2011.
Military, motorsports industries collaborate to boost military vehicle performance
The Military Vehicle High Performance Capabilities (MVHPC) project, developed by U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) to help bring motorsports industry technologies and capabilities to the military’s wheeled vehicle fleets, is managed by the Institute for Defense and Business and IMSolutions LLC, with help from the Marine Corps Systems Command. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and North Carolina Military Foundation are also part of the collaborative effort. “This project provides a valuable link between two of North Carolina’s biggest industries,” Hagan said in a statement. “The motorsports industry is developing cutting-edge technology that can significantly improve the mobility and safety of our military vehicles.” MVHPC partners will evaluate lessons learned and technological solutions developed by the commercial motorsports industry that are potentially beneficial to the U.S. military for possible integration into military vehicles. Several capability demonstrations have already been held, with more to come, linking military commands with motorsports companies. One goal of these demos is to facilitate interest in the motorsports sector to diversify their business to include military vehicle systems and contracting opportunities.
EU proposes lower vehicle noise limits
The European Commission have recently published a new draft regulation on motor vehicle sound levels, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. In addition to limiting noise levels, the proposal would establish a new procedure for measuring noise emissions and new requirements on the minimum sound generated by electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The reduced noise limits would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, applicable two years after the publication of the regulation, the noise limits applicable to heavy trucks would be reduced by 1 dB (A) to between 77 and 82 dB (A), dependent on engine power and drive configuration. The noise limits applicable to other types of vehicles would be reduced by 2 dB (A) to between 70 and 79 dB (A), dependent on vehicle type, GVWR, engine power, and drive configuration. In the second phase, applicable five years after the publication, the noise limits would be reduced by a further 2 dB (A) for all vehicle types.
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