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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.

The diesel engine diet Researchers correlate engine performance and durability with the properties of alternative fuels that consist of vegetable oils and animal fats. Looking at a safer future Software, other sensors will augment cameras as safety's role in the off-highway industry takes an upward spiral. Plastics expand their range From high-speed train exterior panels to powertrain components, plastics and composite materials are finding their way into more off-highway applications.

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.

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.

Testing in the field Hardened data-acquistion modules benefit companies conducting off-highway testing in harsh environments. Continuing to advance technology With close to $1 billion spent on R & D in 2004 alone, Caterpillar is taking a lead role in the push to move the commercial-vehicle industry forward. Testing trends This special section highlights some of the latest equipment used by engineers to evaluate new technologies. The forgotten compact engine Though heavy-duty engines have gotten most of the industry attention lately, smaller engines are out there working hard, with seemingly little respect. Productivity drives future agricultural technologies SAE 100 Future Look: Despite the tremendous rate of change in the agricultural equipment industry, one common theme has led the technological advances in agricultural equipment.

Small is as small does off-highway engineers have been pretty busy packing smaller and smaller engines with more and more power. Computer-aided everything Software is helping companies to be more effective when developing and evaluating off-highway vehicles and systems. Testing resources This section highlights some of the latest mobile and stationary equipment available to the industry for product development and evaluation. History of gerotor hydraulics The second part in a retrospective of the development of gerotor technology, the engineers behind the breakthroughs, and an acquisition here and there. Maintenence is old business at DoD Iraqi insurgents represent the U.S. Department of Defense's main concern at the moment, but an aging maintenance work force is among other concerns on its flanks.

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.

Technology for small-engine emissions reduction Swiss researchers used a modern four-stroke engine in conjunction with a commercially available catalytic converter and special gasoline to develop a significantly cleaner-running walk-behind mower. Large-scale application of J1939 The SAE electronic systems communication standard provides a method for achieving engineering flexibility, product standardization, parts rationalization, service, and customer convenience. Focus on electronics OEMs and their suppliers are developing vehicle systems for improved vehicle operation and reliability/durability with the help of electronics. The following pages review some recent industry advancements. 2000 SAE International Off-Highway Congress: one for the ages From antique off-highway equipment to the latest in intelligent vehicle technology, the 2000 SAE International Off-Highway & Powerplant Congress & Exposition brings yesterday and tomorrow together today.

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.

Checking on safety As safety moves into the spotlight, many diagnostic techniques ensure that all the elements work reliably. Going green, quietly The emphasis on reduced emissions is not about to affect teh attention given to the desired levels of comfort and refinement in vehicles.

Switching to new controls Hall-effect switches, LEDs transform cab interiors. Save the weight For efficiency improvements, the desire to reduce the mass of vehicle subsystems is far greater than the ability. As a result, off-highway suppliers must seek innovation and technological advances through other means.

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.

Executive Viewpoints: Check Corp - Economic trends drive seat heater growth Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Driving Factors for Future Innovation - Economic trends drive seat heater growth. Executive Viewpoints: Cummins - Doing more with less Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Driving Factors for Future Innovation - Doing more with less. Executive Viewpoints: Dana - Systems integration in the off-highway world Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Driving Factors for Future Innovation - Systems intergration in the off-highway world. Executive Viewpoints:Delphi - Making the right connection Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Driving Factors for Future Innovation - making the right connection.

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.

Cummins Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - Tier 4 Final and beyond. Mico Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - A smarter future. BorgWarner Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - meeting emissions goals with multiple technologies. Bosch Rexroth Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - The challenging future of mobile off-highway equipment. Sauer-Danfoss Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - The future of functional safety. Actio Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - Going forward with MSDS management. Eaton Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Technologies and Trends for Future Growth - If we build it, they will come.

Saving space To address packaging constraints in off-highway equipment, engineers developed a fuel vaporizer catalyst that makes for a more compact aftertreatment system. Steering toward safety A look at new technology concepts to overcome design issues inherent in adapting steering angle for heavy-duty applications. A fluid performance Researchers have developed a procedure to measure a fluid's effect on the degree to which mechanical power is efficiently converted to hydraulic power in pumps typical of off-highway applications.