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Connectivity continues its advance More OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are focusing on embedded telematic systems, hoping to displace aftermarket hardware. Tailoring fuel injection to control NOx The next big step to help heavy-duty diesel engines meet stricter emissions regulations involves adapting the fuel-injection system to the combustion needs. Active on safety Crash-avoidance technologies are vital "building blocks" to automate commercial vehicles, implement truck platooning and ultimately achieve zero accidents. Engineering with simulation and data Companies are discovering new simulation techniques, especially optimization; the next step is to combine simulation with sensor data and predictive analytics to create even more robust off-highway equipment.

Evolution of ac-drive technology The introduction of inverter drives has stimulated development of the ultra-class haul trucks in operation today. Hydraulics in the age of specialization Today's hydraulics are to earlier systems as Sim City is to Lincoln Logs. Increasing sophistication has changed the way companies such as Eaton and Caterpillar build equipment, while users' expectations and regulators' demands keep rising. IT-tool for intelligent motion control A Danish mechatronic research program focused on intelligent motion control for rapid prototyping of fluid-power components and systems.

Economies of (drivetrain) scale Emissions challenges continue, but engine and transmission technology is advancing solutions and improving vehicle systems intergration. Searching for real-world responses Prototype testing is constantly changing as electronic technologies help transform equipment; design processes adjust as digital development evolves. Hydraulic brakes on one hand, air brakes on the other Building a better brake system had continued to challenge engineers for more than a century, as a changing world has demanded correspondingly advanced brake technology. Top technologies of 2007 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year.

Help from above Cell towers and satellites enable people to keep equipment running. Cleaner and quieter diesels To meet tightening regulations, engineers are tasked with adding more and more components and systems to take away more and more emissions. Connecting sensors Suppliers and road construction OEMs have teamed to develop an application profile for sensor interfaces.

Shrinking hydraulics The push to conserve fuel and reduce emissions is prompting major changes in system design. Aftertreatment temperature control Regeneration of a DPF burns off soot, but also raises exhaust gas temperature. Speed thrills: doing more tests in less time Quicker data gathering, simulation keep quality high despite time crunch. Green engineering The quest to alleviate environmental and efficiency pressures turns up 'small' material solutions with big benefits. A global forum Cummins executives lay the groundwork for a lively and informative discussion at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

Engine electronics come of age Changes in global standards, combined with engineering know-how, have resulted in a new generation of clean, quiet, and efficient engines. Operators are rolling in the chips Microprocessors and sensors are being combined to monitor the way that equipment is being used, then help operators to perform better in that environment. Gaining weight Perkins' influence in the off-highway industry grows as it evolves its global engine lines and expands its presence in the U.S. What's new at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Part 2 of 2 A preview of some of the products and technologies that will be displayed at this year's event, scheduled March 15-19 in Las Vegas, NV. Engineering a career Off-highway companies are challenged not only by the ever-changing technology landscape, but also by finding the engineering talent to help them succeed in it.

Electrifying the future Hybrid-electric systems development is heating up in the truck and off-highway equipment industries as OEMs plan to satisfy a wide variety of customers. Shrinking world extends design teams Whether the world is becoming flat or just shrinking, its change is posing a challenge for engineers who have to design bigger products with flat manpower budgets. Cutting costs with COTS Streamlining design and manufacturing processes for accelerated wire harness development for off-highway equipment.

Communicating without drivers Autonomous vehiclesrely on data communications. A big plan for small engines The design procesas for Perkins' 400 Series is driven by choice via continuous product improvements, not just by regulations. Bringing field to lab Mahindra & Mahindra cuts testing and evaluation time with new test system and statistical tools. Planning new wheels for the Army The ambitious Future Tactical Truck Systems program aims to leverage commercial sector know-how to make safer, more capable military vehicles.

Designing out emissions Researchers from Michigan Technological University designed and tested a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and catalytic exhaust treatment for a snowmobile application. Networking to extend equipment life Equipment developers are using local area networks to gather specific usage and maintenance data in response to the needs of off-highway equipment owners and leasing companies to maximize investments. CAE goes off-highway A look at how manufacturers are saving time and improving quality by using computer simulation. Engineering the first 50-ton ADT While it could be said that the articulated frame truck is now a mature concept, Bell Equipment moved the goal posts by redefining both the weight class and application range for this versatile machine.

Cleaner and quieter snowmobiles The University at Buffalo's entry into the Clean Snowmobile Challenge led to modifications of engine, exhaust, body, and electronics to achieve a snowmobile with both lower noise and emissions. Predicting pump dynamics The dynamic behavior of a Parker Hannifin/Abex NWL hydraulic-axial-piston pump was simulated to determine information on pump flow ripple for longer pump life and reduced noise. Electronic engine management for small engines Through an overview of sensor technologies, Cherry Electrical Products confirms that the off-highway industry is ready to benefit from the automotive industry when it comes to electronically controlling small engines. Globally positioning mining vehicles High-tech guidance systems for mining vehicles supplied by companies such as Magellan Corp. are one of the most prevalent uses of global positioning systems in off-highway applications.

Digging with precision Electronic technologies continue to transform the off-highway environment, all the way down to the components used to create electrohydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, and new additions, such as house controllers and sensors. Speeding up design Software automates more tasks, handles challenges. Together for a change On- and off-highway commercial vehicle industries converge at fourth-annual Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

Developing next-generation biofuels Spurred by concerns over national security, future supplies of petroleum, and greenhouse gas emissions, many are looking for fuel from biological renewable sources. Control strategies take many paths I/O, EMC, and SIL are among the acronyms transforming controller development. Lean, green, and marine Following the lead set by road and air transportation, sea vessels are turning to increased amounts of composite materials in their construction.

A 'defensive' approach Oshkosh Corp. is providing executive leadership for this year's SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress, placing more emphasis on the military and defense businesses, and how those activities align with the commercial vehicle industry. Hybrid and mighty Having gained popularity un the automotive sector, many suppliers of hybrid drives are engineering their battery-electric offerings for the off-highway market. Customers, in turn, are experiencing major gains in efficiency and economy. Finding off-highway's top model Modeling, simulation advances help engineers get complex design to market quickly. Roll your own Technological advances into autonomously controlled vehicles facilitate road trains and troop support.

Top technologies of 2010 Abridged versions of the most significant innovations as voted on by readers. To read the full veresions of the year's top technologies, including interviews with engineers, visit the website at the end of each story. Trends impacting military and defense engineering Industry leaders discussed a number of pressing issues- ranging from the need for more young engineers to significantly compressed design cycles- at the recent SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress. Biomaterials: more to come Plants and animals-renewable resources- have begun to make measurable contributions to materials for equipment design.

A quiet revolution Optimizing design, while minimizing NVH, in off-highway equipment and systems. Inferential sensing Engineers propose an onboard electronics hardware and software architecture that can deliver condition-based maintenance solutions in a low-cost platform. Lightweight but heavy duty A look at the design, analysis, testing, and application engineering performed to develop a selectively reinforced brake drum made of aluminum metal matrix composite. Shifting gears smoothly Ric Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

Digital revolution changing hydraulics Electrohydraulics trim costs while improving safety and efficiency. Heavy-duty testing Targeting off-highway and other commercial vehicle engine makers, Ricardo has expanded its Chicago Technical Center to help them comply with upcoming emissions regulations. An integrating experience The importance of systems integration will be an overarching theme at a new SAE conference, COMVEC, for the on-and off-highway commercial vehicle industries. Off-highway gets cooler and greener An environmentally benign A/C refrigerant rooftop unit is ready for testing in logging and mining equipment in Australia. Mining for better seating The mining site is a particularly challenging environment for vehicles, which combined with the intense work schedule of most mining operations, leads to a serious need for comfort and convenience for equipment operators.

Integration helps fuel push for conservation As rising fuel prices and looming environmental regulations bring fuel economy to the fore, hydraulic system developers are pitching in to improve efficiency and help conserve precious resources. Simulating hydraulic valve pressure drop CFD software is being used more and more frequently during the design of off-highway systems and components. 2006 Commercial Vehicle Congress Preview International Truck and Engine executives head the charge for "positive industry change" at SAE's third Congress for the on-and off-highway communities. Position sensing in machine controls As performance requirements for off-highway equipment become more demanding, the need for greater control of motion and power grows as well.

Bridging the power gap An alliance between Cummins and Komatsu provides an intriguing prospect to the industrial engine market with the new QSK78 industrial engine. Large eddy simulation in hydraulic valves Cavitation in hydraulic spool valaves involves large-scale vortical structures in an unsteady submerged jet. According to engineers from Purdue University, curent CFD approaches do not accurately predict these unsteady vortices, nor do they properly account for bubble-dynamics/flow-structure interactions. Proving heavy-vehicle performance The Nevada Automotive Test Center and Mechanical Dynamics joined forces to redesign and improve the drivetrain, frame, steering, and other subsystems of a heavy-duty military-vehicle for the USMC. Tying it all together GPS. Engine diagnostics. Wireless communications. So much technology. So many voices. Is it a chorus of the Tower of Babel?

Simulating air-conditioning performance A computer program developed by Modine Climate Systems and Modelogics helps determine and optimize air-conditioning system performance. Reduced mass haul-truck design concepts Liebherr Mining trucks adopted a reduced structural mass approach to convert unladen weight directly into payload, while simultaneously incorporating state-of-the-art driveline technology. Optimizing a tractor frame for improved cabin NVH To address an aging agricultural workforce and modern ergonomic guidelines, researchers at Doshisha University and Kubota modeled medium- and large-sized agricultural tractors to reduce vibration and noise and increase comfort. Applying 3d-CAD to turbocharger development Ishkawajima-Harima Heavy Industries has developed a 3d-CAD system for turbochargers. satisfying requirements for digital mockup development.

Heavy-duty issues Top industry insiders provide their perspectives on critical issues such as sustainability, workforce development, and future growth at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition. Autonomouse vehicles go off-highway Advances in sensors, CPUs, and software help in the druve to eliminate drivers. Power and precision Hydraulic motors and actuators evolve along two paths, both relying on advanced controls.