SAE offers new credential program for engineers
SAE International is introducing a personnel credentialing program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a Certificate of Competency or Certification in the Design Review Based on Failure Modes (DRBFM) methodology. Created by industry professionals for industry professionals, the program was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The DRBFM Process and Application Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in DRBFM process methodology. Job roles include product engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, supplier quality engineers, validation and test engineers, and facilitators, trainers, and consultants in all industries. This credential requires completing an open-enrollment training course and passing an online exam. Registration is now open for the December 2012 offering of this program. For more information, contact SAE International at certification@sae.org or visit https://www.saecredentialingalliance.org/go/drbfm.
EU adopts two regulations on truck safety
The European Union in April adopted two regulations designed to enhance the safety of trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3500 kg and buses with more than eight passenger seats, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. One specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) that detect the possibility of a collision with a preceding vehicle; warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals; and if the driver takes no action, automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes. The regulation also specifies two levels of performance to be achieved by AEBS. Fitment of AEBS meeting the "level 1" performance requirements becomes mandatory from Nov. 1, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. The compliance dates for "level 2" are Nov. 1, 2016 for new types of vehicles and Nov. 1, 2018 for all new vehicles. The other regulation specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for lane departure warning systems (LDWS) that detect unintentional drift of the vehicle out of its travel lane and warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals. Fitment LDWS becomes mandatory from Nov. 15, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. Both regulations contain a list of specific vehicle types, such as urban buses and off-road vehicles, that are exempt. "New types of vehicles" are models being launched for the first time, and "new vehicles" are new vehicles being registered for the first time.
It's winter year-round at new test center
Test World Oy is building what it claims is the world's first year-round indoor winter test center, just where one would expect it—within the Arctic Circle. The facility “will remove one of the biggest bottlenecks in the development of vehicles: winter test dependence on the season and prevailing weather,” Harri Eskelinen, President and CEO of the Finland-based company, said in a news release. “We will be able to provide all the test conditions the automotive industry requires year-round.” The 30,000-m² (320,000-ft²) roofed facility will be constructed within the company’s existing Mellatracks outdoor proving ground in Ivalo, located at a latitude of about 69° north in Finnish Lapland, roughly 300 km (200 mi) to the cold side of the Arctic Circle. Vehicle and tire testing will be accommodated in the climate-controlled facility, the first phase of which is to be operational by the end of 2012.
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Construction on what the company calls Test World Indoor was scheduled to begin this month, with the first phase of 3000 m² (30,000 ft²) slated to be operational by the end of 2012.
Horiba supplies test cells for new Cat facility in China
Horiba Automotive Test Systems (ATS) has been contracted by Caterpillar Inc. to provide three heavy-duty test cells and one generator test system for the company’s new production base in Tianjin, China, by the start of production in January 2013. The multifunctional test cells will be used to analyze the high-capacity 3500 Series engines and generator packages of Caterpillar. Automatic guided vehicles will transport test specimens from rigging stations to test cells. Once in place, test specimens will undergo complete functional testing using advanced Horiba equipment. Test cell capacity of up to 3.6 MW will be used in the engine test cells, and the test systems will feature dual-language operator controls in both Mandarin and English. Horiba ATS established a 9400-m2 (101,000-ft2) manufacturing plant in Shanghai/Anting, China, in 2010; this contract accelerates its expansion into the Asian region.
Europe toughens truck cab safety test
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) on Jan. 4 published the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 29 on commercial vehicle cab safety which introduces some significant amendments to the pendulum impact test procedures, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. The changes increase the impact energy level for the existing front pendulum impact test from 44 kJ to 55 kJ, specify an additional front pendulum impact test designed to test the cab’s A-pillars, and require that the cab roof be subjected to a lateral pendulum impact prior to the roof crush test being conducted. Compliance with these new requirements becomes mandatory for new types of truck from Jan. 30, 2017.
Molex expands cable assembly capabilities with acquisition
Molex Inc., an Illinois-based global electronic components company, has completed the acquisition of Temp-Flex Cable Inc., a designer and manufacturer of specialty wire and cable products for the aerospace, military, electronics, test and measurement, and industrial markets, among others. According to Mike Miskin, Vice President and General Manager, Cable Products Business Unit of Molex’s Global Integrated Products Division, this strategic acquisition will give Molex access to development and manufacturing expertise for products that will expand its high-performance cable assembly business. Based in South Grafton, MA, Temp-Flex Cable will operate as a subsidiary of Molex and will be part of the company’s Global Integrated Products Division.
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