Alliance upgrades engine test cell

A Technology Innovation Centre product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 4, 2006

The UK-arm of automotive powertrain development-systems specialist A and D has entered into a new co-operative partnership with TIC.

Following the recent UK Automotive Powertrain Symposium organised by UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC), an agreement has been announced between TIC and leading Japanese instruments and controls company, A and D.

The UK-arm of automotive powertrain development-systems specialist, A and D, has entered into a new co-operative partnership with TIC.

Central to the relationship is the uprating of TIC's established engine test-cell to the latest A and D Transient Dynamometer System specification.

TIC's Prof Adrian Cole comments: "Control systems in modern passenger cars have advanced to offer not only high performance, but also ever better fuel economy, the growing ability to use new fuels and produce cleaner emissions".

"TIC has specialised knowledge in engine calibration and control and is also involved in practical research associated with emissions control and biofuels development".

In consequence TIC's three-year old engine cell has been in high demand.

The takeover of the Powertrain Technology Division by Japan's A and D Company from its previous US-owned partner, MTS Systems Corp, has provided the catalyst for this new partnership.

This has resulted in the immediate uprating of TIC's engine cell specification.

The new co-operative arrangements will result in one of the most advanced educational resource of its type in automotive powertrain systems for TIC's automotive students as well as benefiting those on specialist, auto-industry courses.

Most significantly the cell will be central to TIC's research role in the development of bio- fuels from both recycled and virgin vegetable oils - a project known as BioGen-local.

The partnership goes beyond pure education and training, as TIC's engine cell becomes A and D's UK demonstration centre, enabling the two organisations to share relevant development knowledge to their mutual advantage.

Automotive Industry clients of both partners will be offered powertrain research and development support complementary to their own often heavily committed resources.

A and D's new engineer, Rob Kemp, has taken up permanent residence at TIC to offer on-the-spot customer support and demonstration capability.

Having this resource has enabled TIC to become a leading UK, applied-research authority in engine management.

Its diesel-related courses for UK automotive engineers have been described within the Industry as having moved participants' knowledge of diesel engine management systems forward significantly.

With the recent announcement of BMW's boost for Mini engine production, Ford's decision to spend GBP 1 billion in Britain on researching and developing greener cars and Nanjing Auto's plan to produce 15,000 MGs a year at Longbridge, the UK automotive industry is rebounding from recent disappointments.

It is especially strong in powertrain production and TIC is equipped to play its part in future developments.

A and D is an established world-class manufacturer of advanced measuring, monitoring, control and testing instruments and equipment for industries from automotive to medicine.

It addressed a gap in its capabilities when it entered the complementary field of electronically-controlled physical powertrain testing and development with the acquisition of the MTS Powertrain Technology Division.

It has also signed a co-operation agreement with Germany's IAV (Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr), a major partner with vehicle manufacturers in overall vehicle development.

TIC and IAV have also worked closely together on powertrain matters in recent years.