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Training / Education

High-Performance Brake Systems

While most passenger car brake systems are quite robust and reliable under typical operating conditions, high-performance driving and/or racetrack operation generally require alternative design solutions to optimize consistency and longevity. Whether it is brake fluid fade, cracked rotor discs, chronic knockback, or insufficient brake pad life, the stresses of motorsports can pose unique challenges to even the very best brake system designs.

Training / Education

Tire and Wheel Safety Issues

One of the most important safety critical components on cars, trucks, and aircraft is the pneumatic tire. Vehicle tires primarily control stopping distances on wet and dry roads or runways and strongly influence over-steer/under-steer behavior in handling maneuvers of cars and trucks. The inflated tire-wheel assembly also acts as a pressure vessel that releases a large amount of energy when catastrophically deflated. The tire can also serve as a fulcrum, both directly and indirectly, in contributing to vehicle rollover. This course covers these facets of tire safety phenomena.

Training / Education

The Tire as a Vehicle Component

The principal functions of the pneumatic tire are to generate driving, braking, and cornering forces while safely carrying the vehicle load and providing adequate levels of ride comfort. This course explains how tire forces and moments are generated under different operating and service conditions and, in turn, demonstrates how these forces and moments influence various vehicle responses such as braking, handling, ride, and high-speed performance. The content focuses on the fundamentals of tire behavior in automobiles, trucks, and farm tractors, but also includes experimental and empirical results, when necessary. 

Training / Education

Design for Manufacturing & Assembly

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM+A), pioneered by Boothroyd and Dewhurst, has been used by many companies around the world to develop creative product designs that use optimal manufacturing and assembly processes.  Correctly applied, DFM+A analysis leads to significant reductions in production cost, without compromising product time-to-market goals, functionality, quality, serviceability, or other attributes.  This course will include information on how DFM+A fits in with QFD, Concurrent Engineering, Robust Engineering, and other disciplines.

Training / Education

Applied Brake Controls Test Track Experience ABS, TCS, and ESC

  Take notes.  Take a spin.  Repeat.  Six classroom modules (2 each for ABS, TCS and ESC!) are paired with six driving modules on a real-world ice and snow development test track in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  There's no better way to reinforce classroom learning than by grabbing the steering wheel.  All of the driving exercises have been specifically developed so that anyone can hop in the car and immediately link what you have just learned in the classroom.  

Training / Education

Metal Forming

This course covers metal forming and related manufacturing processes, emphasizing practical applications. From forged or P/M connecting rods to tailor-welded blank forming, metal parts are integral to the automotive industry. As a high value adding category of manufacturing, metal forming is increasingly important to the core competency of automobile manufacturers and suppliers. A thorough survey of metal forming processes and metal forming mechanics will be performed, including bulk deformation, sheet-metal, and powder metallurgy operations. Design considerations are fully integrated into the course and are presented with every process.

Training / Education

Seals and Sealing System Design of Actuation Systems in Military and Commercial Aircraft

This half day course presents an overview of seals and sealing system design for military and commercial aircraft. It is aimed to provide engineers having some previous actuator and control valve design background with an understanding of the general hardware groove standards, standard parts for static applications and how seal designs and sealing systems can be best used in dynamic reciprocating and rotary applications. Information will be provided regarding seal material and fluid compatibility, friction drag, expected wear rates depending on operating conditions and duty cycle, hardware surface finish and topography.

Training / Education

Filtration and Contamination Control for Aerospace Hydraulic Systems

This four-hour short course provides an introduction to contamination control principles in aircraft hydraulic systems. Topics covered include an introduction to the types of contamination in aircraft hydraulic systems, contaminant measurement, and reporting methods. In addition, the impact of contamination on hydraulic components is discussed in detail. Along with an introduction to filtration mechanisms, information on testing, rating, and specifying filters will be provided.

Training / Education

Introduction to Aircraft Hydraulic System Design and Certification

This four-hour short course provides an overview of hydraulic system design of typical business and commercial aircraft. Topics will include the principles, system architectures, power sources, and the main components and technologies of hydraulic systems including hydraulic power generation, filtration, fluid storage, distribution, sensing and control. The step by step process of designing a hydraulic system will also be reviewed. Additionally, future trends in hydraulic systems will be discussed.

Training / Education

Electrohydraulic Servovalves in Flight Control and Utility Actuators

This four-hour short course intends to present an overview of electrohydraulic flow control servovalves commonly used in flight control and utility actuators. The scope of this course covers the history and design of servovalves, as well as their most common performance characteristics. This course will provide participants an understanding of the application of electrohydraulic servovalves in hydraulically powered actuators and preparation of the servovalve procurement specification.

Training / Education

Design Considerations for Electrohydrostatic Actuators

This course is verified by Probitas Authentication as meeting the AS9104/3A requirements for continuing Professional Development. This four-hour short course will provide an overview of design considerations for electrohydrostatic actuation for transport and business aircraft applications.  The instructor will present the critical topics of electrohydrostatic actuation (EHA) from a systems development perspective (V-Approach).  Beginning with aircraft system requirements, the instructors will then guide participants through EHA subsystem requirements, component design, component verification test, aircraft integration, and use. 

Training / Education

Automated Systems for Aerospace and Space Applications

Pressure on costs and budgets makes automating processes within the aerospace and space industries necessary. Misunderstandings about reductions to these complex systems can result in the improper application of these systems, often leading to poor outcomes and project failure. This course introduces the components of automation critical to the practice of acquiring, installing, and maintaining automation. The instructor presents the types, components, operation, application, cost benefits, laws, strengths, and limitations of automation.

Training / Education

Aircraft Hydraulic Pumps and Motors - Application, Design and Integration

This 4-hour short course offers an overview of aircraft hydraulic pumps focusing on their application in hydraulic systems, design and performance characteristics, and integration issues. These topics will examine the various pump technologies available for aircraft system applications, their design, performance and operational characteristics and limitations, and discusses the challenges and lessons learned in the integration of pumps in hydraulic systems.

Training / Education

Power Electronics for Mechanical Engineers

This 4-hour short course provides an overview of Power Electronics (PE) in use in modern transport aircraft. This course includes the context, principles, design drivers, and the main PE components of various flight applications, including those for harsh environments. This course is designed to deliver and demystify the basic theories and best practices of mechanical, electronics, thermal management, safety, reliability and maintainability disciplines. In addition, future trends in Power Electronics will be discussed.

Training / Education

Design Considerations for Electromechanical Flight Control Actuation Systems

This four-hour short course intends to present an overview of electrically powered flight control actuation systems, covering commercial applications. The scope covers issues related to the mechanical design of actuators themselves, with limited reference to their control electronics. Additionally, this course will provide participants an understanding of the design considerations behind these actuation systems.

Training / Education

Fundamentals of Threaded Fasteners

Fastener experts believe that upwards of 95% of all fastener failures are the result of either the wrong fastener for the job or improper installation. Improper installation or incorrect fastener selection can result in catastrophic loss or damage. Learn how to avoid issues by getting the answers in this course.

Training / Education

PFMEA and the Control Plan - Overview and Application

The Process FMEA and Control Plan program introduces the basic concepts behind this important tool and provides training in how to conduct an effective PFMEA. First, the course explains what a PFMEA is and how it improves the long-term performance of your products, services and related processes by addressing process related failures. The role of the PFMEA in the overall framework of Quality Management System Requirements is explained as well as the role of the PFMEA in the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process. Additionally, the differences and relationships between the DFMEA and PFMEA are well defined.

Training / Education

Aviation Parts to Medical Devices Bridging the Gap

This course is verified by Probitas Authentication as meeting the AS9104/3A requirements for continuing Professional Development. This one-day program is designed to provide introductory information for those organizations who are considering transitioning from the Aeronautic, Space and Defense industry to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Medical Device Manufacturing market. Reviewing essential information necessary to understand and successfully begin the journey to FDA Medical Device approval, this course will examine many of the controls between the AS9100 Standard and FDA Regulations and identify the similarities.

Training / Education

Key Considerations for the Comparison of Power‐by‐Wire and Hydraulically Supplied Solutions for Aerospace Actuation

This four-hour short course provides key considerations for the comparison of electrically supplied (Power-by-Wire, or PbW) and hydraulically supplied (Power-by-Pipe, of PbP) actuation for aerospace. The focus is put on the consequence, for designers, of changing the physical principles and the technology used. A particular attention is paid to the unavoidable side effects introduced by the technological realization. Simple examples with realistic numerical values are used to make the comparisons quantitatively realistic.

Training / Education

Introduction to Airframe Engineering Design for Manufacturing, Assembly and Automation

This course is verified by Probitas Authentication as meeting the AS9104/3A requirements for continuing Professional Development. Why is a design for manufacturing, assembly and automation so important? This introductory course on airframe engineering will cover the importance of design for manufacturing, assembly and automation in aerospace. It will review what the key drivers are for a “good” design and some of the key points for manufacturing and assembly of aircraft components. It will look at how an engineer can combine traditional technologies with new, cutting-edge technologies, to determine the best scenario for success.