Buoyed by initial road-test results and significant technological advancements, UPS announced the U.S. deployment of its first three large package delivery vehicles utilizing hydrogen fuel cells for power.
The first fuel cell Dodge Sprinter was deployed in Los Angeles, CA. The remaining two Sprinters will be deployed in Sacramento and Ann Arbor, Mich. Compared to the […]

I hope I haven’t lost you guys……
I took the summer off, but now I’m back. Look for regular updates beginning today.

This isn’t really automotive, but I thought it was pretty cool (no pun intended)……Dan
The Agilent Technologies modular E4360 Solar Array Simulator offers the most power (up to 1200W) in the smallest package (2U high). Designed for customers testing a satellite’s power system, the Agilent E4360 solar array simulator allows R&D engineers, manufacturing engineers and system […]

There is an interesting item in the Spring 2008 Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI) newsletter. The item, “Autotechnogeoglyphics,” compares aerial photographs of auto test tracks to the mysterious lines on the Plains of Nazca. The article notes, “Like the lines on the Plains of Nazca, automotive test tracks are alluring earthen etchings on […]

Ward’s Auto World is running a story on how Ford is using virtual manufacturing to improve quality and reduce worker injuries. Titled “Ford Virtual Manufacturing Technology Driving Quality Gains,” the article describes how the company is using “computer-aided design data to digitally piece together the vehicle and optimize the eventual final assembly process.” Ford says […]

From the March 18, 2008 issue of NIST Tech Beat:
A new report published today identifies and describes research and development priorities for the future of three critical, high-tech U.S. manufacturing areas – hydrogen energy technologies, nanomanufacturing, and intelligent and integrated manufacturing. The report, Manufacturing the Future: Federal Priorities for Manufacturing R&D, was prepared by the […]

Accelerated Test Methods for Ground and Aerospace Vehicle Development Seminar
When: April 17-18, 2008
Where: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Instructor: Alexander (Alex) J. Porter
Engineers and managers involved with product development are constantly challenged to reduce time to market, minimize warranty costs, and increase product quality. With less and less time for testing, the need for effective accelerated test procedures […]

This isn’t directly test-related, but it’s so bizarre that I had to post it:
Motorcycle Cancer Seat Patent Granted
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The United Kingdom has granted a patent to Canadian inventor Randall Dale Chipkar for his innovative ‘electromagnetic shielding motorcycle seat’. The invention is designed to shield motorcycle electromagnetic field radiation from penetrating the rider’s vital […]

MTS Systems Corp. is using 3D CAD software to more efficiently design, configure, and assemble its custom test systems, including automotive road simulators, earthquake simulators, aircraft frame testers, and wear testers for biomedical devices. Since adopting the software, the Eden Prairie, MN company has been able to speed up delivery of these systems so that […]

Assembly Magazine’s website recently posted an article on automotive leak testing. The article, titled “Leak Testing Supplier Solves Trio of Automotive Challenges” describes three applications:

a turnkey project for testing gear housings,
a leak tester to check brake caliper assemblies, and
a system for testing cooler assemblies.

It’s not a real in-depth piece, but it’s mildly amusing.