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The history and future of two-stroke engines While supporters of two-stroke engines emphasize their advantages, naysayers have for years been predicting the death of the little engine that could. Active suspension systems Engineers from Birrana have designed a load-sensing system for mining trucks and haulers that reduces torsional, vibration, and shock loads on a vehicle's structure. CFD simulations inside hydraulic valves Engineers from HUSCO studied the forces induced by oil flow on hydraulic valve actuators with the aim of minimizing their effects. Electronic control for transmissions A third-generation transmission electronic control system developed by Allison primarily for mobile equipment applications will be phased into all of its off-highway transmissions.

Civil and military technologies in close formation As the Famborough International Air Show nears, Keith Hayward of the Society of British Aerospace Companies discusses some of the issues and trends that will be addressed at this year's event. Pressing on with the 728JET Fairchild Dornier remains diligent in the development of the 728 regional jet, eploying digital development techniques and new manufacturing methods to improve overall cost of the aircraft. Bombardier CRJ900 and CRJ700 Bombardier hits 70- to 100- seat regional market running. The growing ERJ family Embraer stakes its claim to the regional jet market with the ERJ-170 and ERJ-190.

Engines for growth Is this the beginning of the end for IC engines? A view from the inside The selection of materials is one of many choices vehicle interior designers face when addressing issues such as ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort, and safety. Electronics and materials for chassis and body The advent of electronics to enhance ride, handling, and braking, and the application of computer-aided design and engineering to create ever stiffer structures, have together transformed both chassis and body technology. Creating reality together In the creation of concept cars, as in the creation of production vehicles, GM designers and engineers work together. E-safety spotlight This Focus on Electronics section highlights some of the latest applications of electronics and communications technology to improve automobile safety. Technology and the Indy Racing League Rule changes and new participants next season mean the series is going to get much more technically interesting.

Bouncing back The economic slowdown of the past year or so tooks its toll on the U.S. automotive industry, with U.S. OEMs suffering the brunt of lost sales. This four-section article explores some of the issues shaping the U.S. auto industry and some of the technologies U.S. OEMs and suppliers are using to combat their emboldened overseas competitors. Powering the future It's anyone's guess as to what type of power source will ultimately drive the majority of future vehicles in North America, but one thing is certain: advancements in various powertrain technologies from industry players are ready to make today's and tomorrow's cars more environmentally--and customer--friendly. Inside North American vehicles Vehicle interiors are incorporating more and more electronics, telematics, and other advanced technologies, challenging engineers and desginers to make them simple, safe, comfortable, and appealing.

The future of aircraft manufacturing Engineers from Vought Aircraft offer insight into the challenges, trends, and techniques that aerospace manufacturers will have to consider for maintaining a viable manufacturing environment. High-speed spindles for aircraft manufacturing Aerospace companies such as Boeing and AHF-Ducommun have employed various high-speed spindles from Precise to improve machining accuracy and finish of aerospace components. Making advanced composites Lockheed Martin Space Systems explores several methods to improve quality and reduce costs. Turbine blade machining To ensure more efficient grinding of its turbine blades, Rolls-Royce installed Midwest Engineered Products' CentraSep centrifuge for automatic filtering of cutting oil.

Changing demands reshape hydraulic components In a world of shrinking margins, fierce competition, and increasing regulations, equipment owners want nothing less than stellar performance from their equipment. Contact stress in valvetrains Engineers from Mahle compared FEA and Hertzian equations for the calculation of contact stress in a roller-follower valvetrain system. High-fidelity agricultural tires Researchers from Goodyear and John Deere developed finite element tire models capable of generating quasi-static spindle forces and moments for prescribed displacements over irregular terrain. Ag-equipment development challenges An engineer in the field discusses the need to tread carefully during the agricultural product-development process.

From motorsports to aerospace Pi Research brings its motorsports digital data-acquisition technology to the aerospace industry. New testing solutions Aerospace Engineering editors review the latest testing products, equipment, and technologies from the idustry's suppliers. The world of business jet technology "Aerospace Engineering" provides an overview of new business jets and the technological innovations that make them fly in the first installment of a two part series. Dassault adds another Falcon The Falcon 7X featurs a host of new technologies, including an advanced wing design, making it Dassault's next-generation business jet. Eclipse makes business jets affordable New manufacturing techniques and high-volume approaches are enabling Eclipse to bring an affordable aircraft to the business jet market. Cessna establishes its Sovereignty The company finalizes development of the Sovereign and prepares it for FAA certification, which is expected late this year.

Business via the Internet E-business may not be the cure-all as originally perceived a few years ago, but it does have its place in helping automotive OEMs and suppliers achieve their supply chain goals. Collaborating via the Web The next stage of product development and engineering support software looks to enhance engineers' ability to collaborate with each other via the Internet. Power by Honda A new strategy--headlined by the Civic's hybrid twin-plug IC engine/electric powertrain--propels the company's "global dreams." End of the line for belching buses? In an effort to reduce the negative impact buses have on urban air quality, many transit agencies already have begun switching their fleets from diesel fuel to natural gas. Now, some are turning to diesel hybrid technology.

NAIAS production vehicles Editors review the engineering highlights of the show's production-vehicle introductions. BMW 7 Series: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2002 With help from its suppliers, BMW has produced a vehicle that blazes the engineering trail with innovations that will influence passenger vehicles for years to come. Developments in fuel cells Automotive engineers are concentrating on providing quick startup, cost reduction, mass manufacturability, and crash safety. AEI Tech 2002 Awards Automotive Engineering International editors highlight the top products and technologies that were displayed at the SAE 2002 World Congress. Introducing S.M. Shahed, SAE President for 2002 From humble beginnings, S.M. Shahed carves out a seat at the society's top spot. Urea selective catalytic reduction Testing by Ford researchers of a small-diesel emissions-control system proved successful in meeting ULEV emissions standards.

Introducing S.M. Shahed, SAE President for 2002 From humble beginnings, S.M. Shahed carves out a seat at the society's top spot. Aerospace online Rapidly developing Internet-based technologies are profoundly changing the engineering/design process, revolutionizing the way OEMs and suppliers do business, and speeding industry's time-to-market. Mobilizing Canadarm2 Components set for delivery and assemblyon the International Space Station this year will provide mobility to the Space Station Remote Manipulator System or Canadarm2, enabling further construction of the station to continue. Collaborating via the Web The next stage of product development and engineering support software looks to enhance engineers' ability to collaborate with each other via the Internet.

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.

Universal Avionics provides vision The avionics supplier looks to improve pilot situational awareness of surrounding terrain with its new synthetic-vision technology. Enhancing awareness in the cockpit The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory studies the technology trends and issues regarding head-up synthetic vision displays. Preparing for the next wave of air traffic The FAA, NASA, and air-traffic-management system suppliers look to step up efforts and technology developments to enhance capacity of the National Air Space system.

Fuel cell AUTOnomy General Motors stunned the North American International Auto Show audience with a fuel-cell concept intended to revolutionize the way vehicles are designed, built, and operated. Revving up for diesel With diesel engines having such a large automotive presence in Europe, and such a small one in the U.S., suppliers vie for the diesel of the future. High time for hybrids With two already on the road and at least four others slated for launch within the next couple of years, hybrid vehicles are taking center stage in the automotive industry. Whether the technology becomes a mass-market phenomena or niche-filler is a matter of debate--one that will take place at the SAE 2002 World Congress.

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.

Komastu produces in Peoria Advanced heavy-duty robotic frame welding technology, new factory-based transportation systems, and major changes to factory layout combine to improve quality and reduce product cycle times for Komastu at its Peoria, IL, plant. Readers' Choice: Top Technologies of the Year Readers have selected the ten most interesting stories in SAE Off-Highway Engineering during the past year. They appear in shortened form. Results are based on reader-response choices following feature articles and shorter technology items. E-business evolves What follows is an update of the year's off-highway Internet-based activities intended to streamline operations along the supply chain and speed engineering product development. Manufacturing in the computer age Today's high-tech products require high-tech processes.

A new role for flight testing Airbus Industries has expanded its flight-testing activities to support the company's Maturity Program and achieve 98.5% operational reliability for aircraft entering service. Take your seats, please Business aircrafts seat designers from B/E Aerospace continues to search for a balance between greater functionality, low cost, light weight, and increased comfort and safety. Aerospace ergonomics Eclipse engineers employ 3-D digital human modeling techniques to ensure an ergonomically efficient cockpit for the Eclipse 500 jet. Real-time aero model identification National Research Council Canada describes its long-term program to speed up data analysis during aircraft flight testing. Top technologies for 2001 Every month, "Aerospace Engineering" publishes the latest technologies. The "Aerospace Engineering" editors have reviewed thousands of reader responses submitted during the past year and, based on your feedback, have chosen the top technologies.

Concepts from Tokyo The Japanese brands showed an impressive number of concept vehicles at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, from styling exercises in search of what will come next, to "reference models" that are very close to production. Formula One technology: 2001 Engineering highlights of the recently completed season were the return of traction control, the widespread use of launch control, and the move toward wide V-angle engines. Adaptive front lighting Though there have been several early attempts at giving lighting systems some mechanical "intelligence," Hella believes the time is drawing near for the burgeoning capability of processors and sensors to play a significant role in enhanced frontal illumination. Instrument-cluster design trends Optrex America engineers show how automotive interior designers can use light to their advantage in designing displays for dashboard clusters.

Safeguarding aircraft systems How several systems suppliers, airframers, and researchers have approached the need for increased system safeguards and protection against lightning strikes. One last look back A review of the technology news, discussions, and announcements from the first Aerospace Congress & Exhibition held September 10-13 in Seattle, WA. Powering unmanned aircraft Pratt & Whitney Canada is developing and testing a commercial turbofan engine derivative for high-altitude unmanned air vehicle applications. 737-800 winglet integration A joint venture between Boeing and Aviation Partners Inc. is involved in developing a performance improvement for in-service aircraft.

Frankfurt Motor Show The art of automotive product packaging is a complex, multifunctional design and engineering discipline that has led to cars with relatively small overall dimesnions yet remarkable interior space. E-volutions As the movement to improve various supply-chain functions through the implementation of e-business initiatives gains momentum, the providers of the products and services that make the benefits possible are becoming more important to the automotive industry's future. Automakers going digital A math-based, vehicle-devleopment-process strategy has helped General Motors to achieve greater engineering capability, efficiency, and quality. A more redefined Ram Chrysler Group engineers have employed the use of hydroforming, new airbag technology, and aerodynamics, among other things, to improve the design, ride, and safety of the Dodge Ram 1500 for model year 2002.