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All go for browser launch The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., BAE Systems, and Raytheon Co. follow in the footsteps of the Big Three automakers in seeking to establish a single Internet portal for conducting business-to-business e-commerce. The journey to more electric In anticipation of the increased use of electronics in place of hydraulic systems, TRW Aeronautical Systems is developing new system architectures and technologies for a "more electric" aircraft. Taking the flight path to improvement Using lean principles and innovative technology, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. strives to better its manufacturing processes by reducing cost, waste, and assembly time.

Ford's new four The largest engine development program in company history will lead to at least 200 applications, starting with the new Mondeo's Duratec HE and replacement of its existing cast-iron-block four-cylinders with higher aluminum content powerplants. GM Powertrain's new inline six for SUV's For the first time in nearly two decades, three new General Motors vehicles will feature an inline six-cylinder engine developed by GM Powertrain. Fuel-stratified injection from VW Though gasoline direct-injection technology is being introduced in the Lupo FSI, VW says it easily can be adapted for high-volume use in larger vehicles such as the Polo and Golf. LS6 for Z06 The latest high-performance Corvette engine features improved breathing, new pistons, an increased compression ratio, and a new high-profile camshaft.

Semiconductors flex their muscles Makers of semiconductors see the automotive market as a prime opportunity for growth. The first part of this article looks at this growth from the perspective of semiconductor industry leader Motorola. The second part highlights some recent semiconductor product introductions. 2002 supplier technology As automakers increase outsourcing, suppliers are taking on more responsibility for developing increasingly complex systems and components. This special edition of Tech Briefs highlights some of the many supplier contributions to 2002 passenger cars. Vision sensors and the intelligent vehicle Advancements in CMOS imaging sensors have enabled Delphi engineers to adapt low-cost, high-quality cameras for a variety of applications in integrated safety systems. The reborn Thunderbird Taking cues from the 1955 model, the 2002 car benefited from Ford's modern platform and systems engineering as well as C3P computer modeling techniques.

Spark-ignition engine trends In the face of growing competition from diesels and alternative power sources, some of the latest prototype and production gasoline-fueled engines show how continued engineering development is meeting demands for more power, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and more efficient packaging. Expanding supplier capabilities through consolidation The pace of consolidation in the automotive industry has slowed somewhat, but its importance has not diminished. Raymond A. Morris named SAE Executive Vice President THe 27-year SAE veteran promises to focus on the needs of the customer and to become better acquainted with the Detroit automotive industry.

A different automatic Developed in conjunction with BorgWarner, Volkswagen's DSG automatic six-speed gearbox is aimed at enthusiasts and has fuel consumption superior to a manual gearbox. Accident avoidance GM and Delphi are testing adaptive cruise control and collision-warning technologies in the hope of ultimately increasing driver awareness and reducing driving behaviors that can lead to accidents. Branding vehicle dynamics The use of active systems and common hardware across several vehicle platforms, with different calibrations and control algorithms, can offer variations in character and brand, according to Prodrive Automotive technology. The drive for improved dynamics For the new XJ, Mike Cross, Jaguar's Chief Engineer for Vehicle Integrity, and his team aimed to preserve the isolation and feel of the previous car, but instill the handling precision and steering accuracy of the S-Type.

NAIAS supplier guide: what's behind the show cars Seductive surfaces and shocking shapes are what catches the eye at this annual winter mega-car-show in Detroit, but functional parts are key to a new model's ultimate success. Direct-injection resurgence The Japanese OEMs are integrating the latest-generation technology into their newest gasoline and diesel engines, focusing the latter on export markets such as Europe. Hybrids pose electronics challenges The vexing technical issues of integrating conventional and electric propulsion systems are complicated by the push to trim cross. Testing ways to cut NVH costs Traditional approaches to conducting noise, vibration, and harshness testing are often very costly for companies, but alternative solutions exist. Hydrogen power for the masses Japanese companies continue to invest in development of fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen production capability.

Technology development under pressure Achieving major cuts in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption continue to be the big challenges facing the European automotive industry. But are the targets realistic, can emerging technology deliver solutions, is driveability likely to suffer, and will the end-user face higher costs? Pulling power The European industry is creating more (or at least as much) with less for the latest-generation powertrains. Chassis evolution Is it time for suspension system designs--increasingly costly to develop--to be standardized to conform to the ride and handling requirements of particular types and segments of cars instead of constantly being re-invented? The mere idea is anathema to some, but tempting common sense to others. Creature comforts Priorities for interior design are many and include increased safety, reduced noise, greater comfort, less complex ergonomics, and more systems support for the driver.

AEI Best Engineered Vehicle 2011- Chevrolet Volt General Motors' pioneering E-REV eliminates range-to-empty worries with a cleverly engineered powertrain that makes Volt the right EV at the right time- and AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2011. Government boost key to biofuel future Biofuel companies are determined to become viable on their own but want continued government assistance if oil companies receive assistance, too. More from less Trimming fuel consumption and emissions requires higher voltages, greater computing power, and more money. Finding the right balance Engineers identify key technology trends such as the necessity for lighter, smaller engines and vehicles- and stress that managing trade-offs is an especially tough challenge. Automotive Engineering International 2011 tech awards The editors of Automotive Engineering International preview the most innovative supplier technologies to be displayed April 12-14 in Detroit at the SAE 2011 World Congress.

Big losers Heavy trucks increasingly employ lighter-weight materials and sleeker shapes in an effort to trim fuel consumption and emissions.

Seeking validation Increased system complexity poses new challenges for software design and ECU system validation, mandating the need for simulation tools that can easily handle the complexity, while providing cost-effective, industry-proven verification tools and processes. Mapping the road to 54.5mpg Part 1 of AEI's three-part series looks at the CAFE challenge and the product-development options being weighed to meet it-while engineers look forward to the critical 2018 mid-term review.

Innovations for lightweighting Tough fuel-economy bogies for 2021 and beyond are driving new approaches to materials use, as seen in these case studies. Axellent progress AAM's new Quantum drive-axle technology is a leap forward in lightweight, efficient driveline systems aimed at 2020 and beyond. Low-temperature combustion ready for prime time? At SAE's High-Efficiency IC Engines Symposium, Delphi said its new, third-generation GDCI is promising, but even LTC proponents admit that challenges remain. More automation for ECU testing The latest fault-insertion tests enable engineers to run more test cases in less time.

Jaguar's green technology Jaguar is synonymous with sporting elegance and refinement-and now also high tech materials and green endeavour. Ian Adcock gets the inside story from the all new XJ's engineering design team Spotlight on Phil Hodgkinson Phil Hodgkinson talks with Ian Adcock about Jaguar Land Rover's future engineering strategy EcoBoost set to cut fuel consumption by 20% Ford's EcoBoost is about more than cutting engine capacity and adding direct injection, turbocharging and twin variable camshafts. Automotive Design reveals the technology behind the headlines

Base-engine value engineering for higher fuel efficiency and enhanced performance Continuous improvement in existing engines can be efficiently achieved with a value engineering approach. The integration of product development with value engineering ensures the achievement of specified targets in a systematic manner and within a defined timeframe. Integrated system engineering for valvetrain design and development of a high-speed diesel engine The lead time for engine development has reduced significantly with the advent of advanced simulation techniques. Cars poised to become 'a thing' Making automobiles part of the Internet of Things brings both risks and rewards. Agility training for cars Chassis component suppliers refine vehicle dynamics at the high end and entry level with four-wheel steering and adaptive damping.

Roadmap for future Indian passenger drone sector Internet of Vehicles: connected vehicles & data - driven solutions Development and verification of electronic braking system ECU software for commercial vehicle Engineering the Motivo Way Broad capabilities, unparalleled project diversity and an innovative culture have put this thriving California "idea factory" in high demand. Developing an alternative engine concept Ricardo's CryoPower engine leverages two unique combustion techniques for reduced emissions and fuel consumption-liquid nitrogen and split combustion. Long-haul trucking and stationary power generation will be the first beneficiaries of the technologies. Spark of genius Mazda's Skyactiv-X-the nexus of gasoline and diesel tech-remains on track for 2019 production. We test-drive recent prototypes to check development status. Plain bearings for aerospace applications

All about electronics UniBo Motorsport of the University of Bologna in Italy details its self-developed electronic control units and strategy for use in its Formula SAE cars. Golden Bear strong A dispatch from the coalfields of West Virginia describes the unique set of challenges faced by the Baja SAE team at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. And the SAE Collegiate Cup for best communicators goes to… The Kettering University's snowmobile team for its outstanding presentation to the SAE Mid-Michigan Section.

Inductive approach An engineering professor from Ryerson uses MapleSim to introduce more exploratory methods of teaching. Monash University scores fourth Formula SAE-A win The Monash University Formula SAE-A team demonstrated its dominance by winning its fourth consecutive Australasian event in Melbourne last December. Audi Urban Intelligent Assist The three-year joint effort between Audi AG, the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Belmont, CA, the University of Southern California, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California at San Diego aimed at improving drivers' information and decision-making capabilities. Hovering aircraft programs The AW609 tiltrotor and the X3 compound helicopter offer different technology solutions to the challenge of achieving higher speeds and higher-quality point-to-point air transport.

Designing a high-performance electrohydraulic actuator Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Toronto adopted a new design strategy for development of a new high-performance acutation system. Off-highway, online The Big Three automakers made big news in February by announcing the formation of a single Internet portal for conducting business-to-business e-commerce. Although no such B2B megasite yet exists for the off-highway industry, a number of separate Internet sites offer similar services to the agricultural and construction segments. Off-highway transient driving cycle Southwest Research Institute and the EPA teamed to determine the necessary emissions tests and certification cycles needed for off-highway engines. Benchmarks in tractor development Norm Swinford discussed the evolution of tractor technology at the 2000 SAE International Off-Highway & Powerplant Congress & Exposition in September.

Operator station innovations Off-highway engineers work hard to provide comfort, ease of operation, and reliability to users. As an added challenge, they must design for operators who can spend an entire day working hard in their cab. Designing online Major developments in internet-based technologies are profoundly changing the engineering/design process, revolutionizing the way OEMs and suppliers do business, and speeding the industry's time-to-market. FEA simulation of an electrohydraulic system Researchers from the Milwaukee School of Engineering provide an accurate model of a typical magentic actuator Predicting injury in forklift upsets Researchers from the Biomechanics Institute present test results that demonstrate operators can prevent ejection and injury from a forklift if they are lap-belted and have either a winged seat or hip restraint.

More with less through electronic components Off-highway engineers have had to walk a precarious path in recent years by developing engine technologies that offer customers better vehicle performance and regulators lower emissions. The promises and problems of electrohydraulics Engineers acknowledge that electrohydraulics are the way of the future for the off-highway industry, and that the field itself could use a good public-relations campaign to attract more engineering students. Deere goes all out for agriculture To some, it may seem odd that John Deere picked this particular economy to launch over 50 new products, the most in its 164-year history. To others it reeks of confidence. Switching control in hydraulic drives Researchers from Johannes Kepler University believe agricultural machinery can be improved by further advances in motion generation.

Including electrohydraulics As electrohydraulics technologies mature and expand, the cost of incorporating them into equipment continues to decrease. Operating the machine As long as people need to be in a machine to run a machine, operator stations will continue to become more operator-friendly.