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Off-highway braking According to Mico, electrohydraulic braking controls can provide improved performance and add system features difficult to obtain with hydromechanical mechanisms. Keeping quiet Targeting off-highway and heavy-truck OEMs, Blachford claims its new acoustics laboratory will offer some testing capabilities previously only available to the passenger-car market. ADT marketing and manufacturing While it is not debatable that articulated dump trucks are a hot commodity, it is debatable how many are technologically unique. Proportional pressure reducing valves Engineers from Thomas magnete have designed pilot valves that work with electrohydraulics to simplify complex machine control systems.

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.

Putting tractors to the test Southwest Research Institute offers manufacturers a ready-made R&D laboratory and the test programs to push their machines to the limit. Leave the driving to us Military programs explore autonomy to lighten operator workloads. Easy on the operator Off-highway OEMs and suppliers want to make life as easy-and productive- as possible for the people running the equipment. Tough testing for tomorrow's demands The off-highway industry is moving toward a new era of legislation and environmental pressures, making test centers increasingly important.

In search of the perfect burn The simultaneous download pressures on NOx and PM continue to make research into higher injection pressures and alternative combustion solutions such as homogenous-charge compression ignition attractive. One way to stop a train A new self-energizing electrohydraulic brake offers the advantages of hydraulic brake actuation without the disadvantages of a centralized hydraulic power supply. A model combustion: from art to science Analysis tools, advanced hardware provide insight into combustion process, refining the cylinder's 'big bang.' The datalinked vehicle In the fields and on the job site with GPS.

Synchronized driving Tight linkage between engine and transmission increases efficiency. Sensing a change Hydraulic engineers are being pressured to design systems that perform more tasks while taking less space. Steel still king Advanced steels and processes offer better performance and lower cost, particularly in powertrain applications.

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.

Cadillac CTS GM's all-new global sports sedan makes no excuses in chassis dynamics, body integrity, powertrain performance, premium materials, and overall craftsmanship. Taking control of hybrids Software must monitor and manage many parameters while coordinating the complex operations of the engine, electric motors, and batteries. LIghter, faster, lower cost Ducati's top engineer brought a "maniacal" approach to developing the 1098 superbike. Diesels' brave new year Lean-NOx catalysts, closed-loop cylinder pressure sensing, and homogenous combustion are making "50-states" diesels a reailty. Behind the curtain AEI takes an in-depth look at how the designers and engineers at General Motors took the company's trio of new crossover SUVs from sketchbook to road. Engineering from everywhere With future growth in car and truck sales coming mainly from emerging markets, companies are realigning their engineering operations accordingly.

Motors play an important EV roles Though lithium-ion batteries grab much of the spotlight, improved electric motor technology is crucial in advancing the operation of battery, hybrid, and plug-in electric vehicles. The quality race continues As end-user expectations continue to rise, and pressure on engineering and manufacturing processes spiral, AEI's European Editor interviewed a number of OEM executives for their thoughts on quality and strategies for better vehicles. The real world Convergence 2008 will place emphasis on the challenges of determining and meeting customer needs in creating better electronic systems. A new generation of engine efficiency New technologies help to maximize fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and deliver market-pleasing performance.

Where intelligence goes Changes in distributed or embedded control as well as processor power are altering automotive computing hierarchy. Making chassis magic Nothing beats veteran ride-and-handling engineers in creating a truly integrated chassis. But simulation is increasingly vital to their seat-of-the-pants development work. Mass reduction--the next frontier Automakers turn their attention to reducing vehicle weight in the quest for greater fuel efficiency. Electricity drives forward Continuous advances in component design and integration are helping to overcome cost and performance obstacles. At your service As cost and human-resource pressures mount, testing and engineering outsourcing heats up and alters roles within the industry. Finding the right Formula The University of Wisconsin-Madison won the annual Formula SAE student competition held in Michigan, beating more than 130 other teams aiming to conceive, design, and fabricate the best, small formula-style racing car.

Spec Formula One The series is moving forward with new rules to reduce cost and make racing more directly relevant to road-car development. Adding foresight Radar and cameras will work together to help drivers avoid accidents. Lexus LS 460:AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2007 The fourth generation of Lexus' global flagship sets new standards in engineering, technical innovation, refinement, and workmanship. Hot off the grid New interest in plug-in hybrids has sparked intense R&D in battery chemistries and systems integration. Digital developments Ever-improving computer-based tools are helping engineers complete more complex designs in shorter time frames with downsized staffs. Illuminating technology Sensor-linked lighting systems, automatic high-beam control, LED headlights, and brand-identifying cabin lighting are enhancing safety, convenience, and the feel-good factor.

CAE simulation and test advance together With increasing pressures on companies to develop products faster with less cost, CAE simulation and physical test forge stronger ties.

Advances in simulation deliver better engines Engine developers need to deliver cleaner engines that burn less fuel, are more durable, and quieter. If that was not enough, competitive pressures are forcing them into shorter time lines and reduced budgets. Engine developers may have no other opportunity to reduce cost and risk than use more CAE simulations.

Tier 4 puts pressure on hydraulics Smaller pumps, smarter controllers help maintain power levels even as engine power declines.

What's New at ConExpo/IFPE A preview of some of the new products and technologies that companies plan to showcase at this year's ConExpo-Con/Agg, which is co-located with the IFPE fluid-power event in Las Vegas from March 4-8. Injection strategies for improving emissions characteristics Premixed charge compression ignition reduces NOx and soot emissions, but requires the optimization of the injection timing and pressure, fuel mass in pilot injection, and EG R rate. Systems that talk together, are efficient together Design teams take a holistic view, linking engines, transmissions, hydraulics, and aftertreatment systems to boost efficiency and performance. Managing the deluge of data The model-based development (MBD) process has been a key enabler of technical advancement in the transportation industry; however, the MBD process leads to the generation of large volumes of data artifacts and work products.