Jythra Engineering Services Blog

Jytra Engineering Services is Siemens PLM Software Partner

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Jytra Engineering Services has partnered with M/s.Siemens Industry Software India Pvt. Ltd. in following two business lines:

Solution Partner - PLM (Channel Sales)
Solution Partner - PLM (Education Services)

Currently Jytra Engineering Services is one of the leading partners of Siemens Industry Software in India.

Our Services:

Sales of following software:

Unigraphics NX
Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology
Femap
Teamcenter Express
CAM Express etc.

Training Services:

Unigraphics NX
Solid Edge
Teamcenter etc.

More details are available at http://www.jytra.com.

progeCAD Professional Software

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:01:00 +0000

progeCAD Professional Software is an alternative to AUTOCAD software with almost similar interface, commands, file format, interoperability etc.

In order to make it available for small businesses and individuals, Jytra Engineering Services has launched progeCAD software special India version only for Rs.4,999/-.

Please visit http://www.progecadindia.com for complete details.

Engineering Competency Center

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:18:00 +0000

Jytra Engineering Serivecs will be launching a new state of the art engineering competency center in Ameerpet, Hyderabad in India. The initial batch capacity of the center is 18. Each batch will run for 3 months full-time training on CAD/CAD/PLM software tools along with Engineering domain skills.

The selection of trainees will be based on written test and oral interview. Job placement is one of the important feature of this competency training program.

For further details, please write to training@jytra.com.

Hydraulic Reservoir or Tank Size Calculation

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Hydraulic Reservoir design and implementation is very important in hydraulic systems as the efficiency of a well-designed hydraulic circuit can be greatly reduced by poor tank design. In addition to fluid storage, a well-designed reservoir also dissipates heat, allows time for contamination to drop out of the fluid, and allows air bubbles to come to the surface and dissipate. It may give a positive pressure to the pump inlet and makes a convenient mounting place for the pump and its motor and valves.

The accepted rule for sizing a tank = (3 to 5) X Q
Where 'Q' is the pump discharge rate.
This will allow sufficient time for oil to cool down before recirculation into the circuit. Also, include one or two baffles inside the tank to increase the path of fluid for better cooling.

Also, you need to check the heat dissipation capacity of tank with above calculated sizes to make sure it is sufficient enough to cool down the oil.

Head Dissipation, HD = 0.001 x (T1 - T2) x A
Where
T1 = max. allowable fluid temperature (in degree F)
T2 = max. ambient air temperature (in degree F)
A = area of tank in contact with fluid (in sq. ft)

Heat dissipation is the main reason for having tank surfaces exposed to free air for better cooling.

I hope these two checks will be enough for a basic hydraulic tank design.

With best wishes,

Krish

Jythra Engineering Services

What is Synchronous Technology in CAD ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:47:00 +0000

Synchronous technology is a latest development in digital product design introduced by Siemen's PLM software. It provides the first history-free, feature-based modeling technology that accelerates design process.

Parametric feature-based modeling is very powerful in editing and modifying CAD models, but it does not help much in case of dump solids or imported models from other CAD software. In this case, the essential method was direct editing (also known as explicit modeling).

Synchronous technology combines the best of constraint driven techniques with direct modeling methods. The unparametric models imported from other software can be edited quickly. The CAD user can take an existing model (native or imported), make changes to it with no limitations from the history tree, and add new intelligence (constraints and driving dimensions) to the model. Model reuse and editing will be faster and simpler even for a less skilled CAD operator.

The word “synchronous” doesn’t refer to a modeling process, but refers to a computer algorithm which solves a group of mathematical equations known as “synchronous solver”.

Sequential solvers are the oldest and simplest type. They have the limitation of order dependency.

Simultaneous solvers are more advanced used in today’s parametric feature based modelers. They solve all equations representing the constraints (including relationships and dimensions) defining a feature simultaneously, as a group.

Siemen’s synchronous solver overcomes the order dependencies by solving for the explicit and inferred constraints at the same time. This solver doesn’t use a history tree, but rather holds user-defined constraints in groups associated with the surfaces o which they apply.

The synchronous solver does a lot more than a typical simultaneous solver.

Jythra Engineering Services
___________________________________________

Information on SHED Test

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:40:00 +0000

SHED is an acronym for Sealed Housing Evaporative Determination. There three main types of SHED systems viz., Micro SHED (approx. capacity 48 cu ft), Mini SHED (approx. capacity 288 cu ft), and Vehicle SHED (approx. capacity 1680 cu ft).

Generally, SHED test machines are available in following varieties:
Fixed Volume (FV) / Fixed Temperature (FT) Chambers
Variable Volume (VV) / Variable Temperature (VT) Chambers
Onboard Refueling (OR) / Vapor Recovery (VR) Chambers

However, equipment can be built by manufacturers with customized options.

Variable Temperature (VT) SHED Chambers are used for hydro-carbon emission tests in vehicle components carrying fuel or permeation tests in fuel tanks. The test chamber provides protected test space with analyzer, lighting, window, volume compensation device and a refueling lead-through plus flushing and safety equipment.

When hydrocarbon emissions are measured for conformance testing of a vehicle’s fuel and vapor handling systems, SHED procedure is used. Flame Ionization Detection (FID) techniques are used for these measurements.

There are test specifications recommended by various Standards Organizations like Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Japanese Stanards.

Prepared by
Krish
Jythra Engineering Services

What is Digital Manufacturing ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:29:00 +0000

Digital manufacturing is also referred as Manufacturing Process Management (MPM). Digital manufacturing is an emerging technology and is a key element of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). It is an important component within PLM.

The concept of concurrent development of both the product and the manufacturing process was introduced through concurrent engineering. Concept and product engineering are primarily concerned with development of a product, whereas manufacturing engineering is primarily concerned with development of the process to manufacture the product.

From software perspective, CAD and CAE tools are employed to help define what is to be made and MPM tools are employed to help define how it is to be made.

Digital manufacturing is a method to define manufacturing processes, manage the process information and support effective collaboration among engineering disciplines by using digital product data. It supports visualization, manufacturing simulation, ergonomics and other engineering analysis tools necessary to optimize the manufacturing process design. It also ensures the integration of product and process designs of overall product life cycle. Thus it ensures the product design to be sensitive to process constraints and capabilities.

Digital manufacturing includes software support for following functional areas:

Translation of design data to manufacturing
Process planning
Operations planning
Assembly definition and sequencing
Detailed line, cell, station and task design
Quality measurement and metrics
Manufacturing documentation
Collaboration between departments
Knowledge base like best practices, lessons learnt etc.

The leading software in digital manufacturing is Delmia (a product of Dassault Systèmes) and Tecnomatix (a product of UGS-Siemens).

Jythra Engineering Services

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing : Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:01:00 +0000

Individual feature of size ( Rule #1 ) : Where only a tolerance of size is specified, the limits of size of an individual feature prescribe the extent to which variations in its geometric form, as well as size, are allowed.

All applicable geometric tolerances ( Rule #2 ) : RFS (Regardless of Feature Size) applies, with respect to the individual tolerance, datum reference, or both, where no modifying symbol is specified. MMC (Maximum Material Condition) or LMC (Least Material Condition) must be specified on the drawing where it is required.

Alternative practice ( Rule #2a ) : For a tolerance of position, RFS may be specified on the drawing with respect to the individual tolerance, datum reference, or both.

What is Escrow ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:21:00 +0000

Escrow is a kind of protected legal agreement between two parties under the trust of neutral third party. According to this agreement, an asset like project money, property or other tangible asset will be deposited to a mediator. Once the conditions are met per the agreement, the escrow mediator will release the money or asset or property to the party(s) as prescribed in the contract agreement.

Escrow is a safe way to handle projects and other other business transactions under the trust of a mediator who has some reputation in the market. It is especially useful for online projects and outsourcing work.

Escrow is also used in the field of automated banking (like ATM) and vending machines (like pop dispenser).

Jythra
-------------------------------
Copyright 2008 Jythra Engineering Services

What is Tumbling Process ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Tumbling (also known as tumble polishing) is a technique of polishing or smoothing a rough surface. Different substances like stone, metal, glass etc. are used in tumbling process depending on the final requirements. We can achieve the outer edge radius on metal parts such as castings and stampings using this tumbling process. The radius may not be very exact but it is sufficient to avoid the sharp edges.

In this process, a plastic or rubber barrel is loaded with tumbling material such as stone. All these elements have similar or same hardness. They also add some abrasive grit to the barrel along with a lubricant. Silicon carbide is commonly used as grit and water as a universal lubricant. The barrel is then placed on a slowly rotating guide rails for rotation. The speed or rotation depends on various factors like geometry of parts being finished, tumbling material, degree of finish needed etc.

The parts to be finished are added to the above loaded barrel and allow the barrel to rotate. It will take out most of the sharp edges and other burrs from the parts. Time needed for tumbling also depend on several factors like degree of finish required, base material, tumbling material etc. It may range from few minutes to few days to complete the tumbling process.

Sometimes, shape of the tumbling material is changed to achieve a better control on final finish. There pre-shaped materials are called "preforms".

Tumbling is an economical process as large batches of parts can be finished with little or no supervision.

Hope you found this information useful.

Krish
Jythra Engineering Services
http://jythra.com

Unigraphics compatibility on Windows Vista OS

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Here is some useful information about Unigraphics compatibility on Windows Vista.

Unigraphics versions prior to NX5 doesn't work on Windows Vista because of few graphics issues. It won't tell you any problem while installation, but you just can't launch the application.
However, Siemens UGS has already updated NX 5 version to work on Windows Vista.
Looks like UGS is not going to make any changes to previous versions of Unigraphics (than NX5) to take care of these graphics issues on Vista.

Hope you found this information useful.

With best wishes,
Krish
Jythra Engineering Services
__________________________________

Unigraphics Run time error - while launching Unigraphics NX

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:16:00 +0000

You may notice the following error while launching Unigraphics after installing it in Windows XP:

---------------------------------------------------------------
Runtime Error!

Programme C:\Programe Files\UGS\NX 4.0\UGII\ugraf.exe
Abnormal Programme Termination

Contact Application Group for further Support
---------------------------------------------------------------

The possibility of this problem is the presence of Internet Explorer 7 installed in your computer. In this case, you just need to delete (or rename) the following file:

%UGII_BASE_DIR%/ugii/psapi.dll

Better to rename the file like "psapi.dll_renamed" to protect the file.

Siemens UGS has provided the "psapi.dll" file for Windows NT compatibility. But, it is no longer needed as it was included in the Windows 2000 and Windows XP Operating Systems by Microsoft.

You may notice the following error script in the Unigraphics log file in your temp directory:

Daylight Time
+++ Unhandled operating system
exception: e06d7363
[1] 7C812A5B (kernel32)
[2] 202B908A (libsyss)
[3] (libsyss)
[4] 202B7AD8

This should solve the problem. Still, if you face the problem contact UGS Global Technical Access Center (GTAC) for further help.

Jythra Engineering Services

___________________________________________

Laser Profile Machining Concept

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:56:00 +0000

In conventional profile machining, the cutting tool has to pass through the entire volume of material. It require a lot of time to cut the stock material. The cutting tool has to travel miles of distance over the work piece in order remove unnecessary material in the form of chips. Further, the cutting tool has to travel in a three dimensional path on the work piece while machining.

It will a best method to develop technology using a laser or some other kind to cut the material at a specified depth. In this method, we will start machining with a flat blank stock and the laser tool is allowed to move on top of the blank covering entire surface. From 3D CAD, the laser tool can determine the distance of profile from top of the block at a particular location from reference X and Y zero. Vertical zero Z doesn't matter at all in this method as laser tool won't travel in Z direction.

After the laser tool cover the entire surface of blank, the final part and scrap material will separate from each other. There won't be any chips at all in this method, and the complexity of surface profile doesn't effect the machining time also.

A little surface cleaning might be required using an emery cloth after the CAM.

Jythra Engineering Services

__________________________________

CAD CAM Services

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:24:00 +0000

Jythra CAD CAM Services is a leader in providing CAD CAM Services for various regular and specialized projects. We have an an average of 12 years of industrial experience in global CAD CAM Services. We have expertise in the following areas of CAD CAM and Engineering Services:

Product Design
Tool Design
Packaging Studies and Digital Mock-up
Design Automation and CAD Customization
New concept design services
Value Engineering Services
3D Modeling and New drawing creation
Legacy Data Conversion and CAD Migration
CAM (3 Axes / 5 Axes Machining)
Tolerance Stackup and Analysis
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Jythra CAD CAM Services offers specialized services using following software:

Unigraphics NX3 / NX4 / NX5
Catia V5
Solidworks
Auto CAD
Design CAD
CorelDraw

Jythra Engineering Services
______________________________________________

Critical Characteristics and Significant Characteristics

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Critical Characteristic is a product feature, dimension or note that reasonably anticipated variation could directly affect compliance with Government regulations or safe operation of the equipment. Any of those characteristics that affect a failure mode with a severity of 9 or 10 must be reviewed to determine if they should become a critical characteristic.

Significant Characteristic is a feature, dimension, or note that reasonably anticipated variation could affect principal fit, function, durability, customer satisfaction, or manufacturability. Any of those characteristics that affect a failure mode with a severity of 5 to 8 and an occurrence of 4 or higher must be reviewed to determine if they should become a significant characteristic.

Jythra Engineering Services

______________________________________________

What is SVG ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:30:00 +0000

Scalable Vector Graphics is an emerging Web standard for two-dimensional graphics. Similar to HTML, SVG is written in plain text and rendered by the browser, except that in this case, it is not just text that is rendered but also contains shapes and images, which can be animated and made interactive. SVG is written in XML (Extensible Markup Language) and developed by the World Wide Web (W3) Consortium.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) SVG is a powerful language for describing two-dimensional vector and mixed vector/raster graphics in XML. SVG was designed to integrate with other Web standard efforts like XLink, XML Namespaces, DOM, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and XSL. SVG images can use Stylesheets to control the look and feel of the image, and scripting to provide interactivity and animation. The specification also describes more complex functionality such as Filters Effects, Gradients, and Patterns. ...

Scalable Vector Graphics is a vector graphics language written in XML. Using SVG, graphics can be coded directly into an XML document.

Jythra Engineering Services
________________________________________

What is VRML ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:29:00 +0000

VRML is an acronym for Virtual Reality Modeling Language. There are two versions of VRML, and each is defined by a spec as below:

http://vag.vrml.org/vrml10c.html -- the VRML 1.0 Spec
http://vag.vrml.org/VRML97/DIS/-- the VRML 2.0 Spec

A VRML file resides on a Website just like an HTML file. For now (until a binary standard is approved) a VRML file is a plain text file or a compressed text file, and its name generally ends in ".wrl", ".wrl.gz", or ".wrz". The contents of a VRML file (plus whatever files it might load in via inline nodes) are called a "world". VRML is a scene description language, which describes 3D environments over the Net. When you access a URL, a "Unique Resource Locator", containing a VRML world, a file is downloaded into your Web browser. When the browser sees a file with the .wrl file extension it tells your computer to launch your VRML viewer. Just as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a file format that defines the layout and content of a 2D page with links to more information, VRML is a file format that defines the layout and content of a 3D world with links to more information. Unlike HTML, however, VRML worlds are spacious and inherently interactive - filled with objects that react to the user and to each other. VRML allows for information, including links to other pieces of Web content, to be easily represented in an interactive 3D world. VRML is scalable across platforms ranging from PCs to high-end workstations. VRML is also bandwidth efficient. Intricate, interactive 3D worlds can be described in worlds that are similar in size to HTML pages. Most of the time when VRML files are large it is because of motion capture data, animation, sound, or video, all of which will be reduced as "streaming media" becomes a reality. Straight VRML files are actually very small, especially if special optimization steps are taken.

Jythra Engineering Services
______________________________

What is Common Rail Direct Injection ( CRDI ) ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:28:00 +0000

CRDi means Common Rail Direct Injection. This is a new technology for diesel engines - suitable for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

CRDi, which has been sourced from the US-based Detroit Diesels, is extremely popular in the US and Europe because of its higher fuel efficiency, improvement in drive quality and its quieter operation. CRDi technology is based on direct injection technology and have "rails" which inject pressurized fuel directly into the engine cylinder. This significantly improves engine efficiency and reduces noise and vibrations.

In CRDi unit, a tube (common rail) connects all the injectors and carries fuel at a constant high pressure of 1,300 bar. The CRDi engine squirts a small amount of fuel into the engine before the actual charge and one afterwards. The high pressure in common rail ensures that when injected, the fuel atomizes to a very high degree that mixes evenly with the air, ensuring maximum combustion. Also, the injectors have variable control heads which allow a "very precise" dose of diesel into each cylinder. CRDi electronically controls the engine pressure, fuel quantity and injection timing to give better fuel efficiency.

Advantages:
* 30-35% more mileage
* 25% more power than normal DI engine
* 70% more torque than normal diesel engine
* less Noisy
* more driving comfort
* more environment friendly

Disadvantage:
* high initial cost, spares and labor.

FIAT has set the record of producing large-scale CRDi engines for the first time. Globally, Bosch is the leader in CRDi with over 75% of the market share, followed by Siemens VDO, Delphi (Lucas) and Denso.

Hope you enjoyed this information.

Jythra Engineering Services
_________________________________________

What is Cellular Manufacturing ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:23:00 +0000

Cellular Manufacturing (CM) refers to a manufacturing system wherein the equipment and workstations are arranged in an efficient sequence that allows a continuous and smooth movement of parts/tools/materials to produce products from start to finish in a single process flow, while incurring minimal transport or waiting time, or any delay for that matter.

CM is a model for workplace design and is an important ingredient of Lean manufacturing. The goal of lean manufacturing is the aggressive minimization of waste in order to achieve maximum efficiency of resources. Cellular manufacturing, sometimes called cellular or cell production, arranges factory floor labor into semi-autonomous and multi-skilled teams, or work cells, who would manufacture entire (simple) products or discreet (complex) product components. The semi-autonomous and self-managed cells, if properly trained and implemented, are more flexible and responsive than the traditional mass production line, and therefore in a better position to manage processes, defects, scheduling, equipment maintenance etc.

Cellular manufacturing is fairly a new application of Group Technology (GT). GT is a management strategy with long term goals of staying in business, growing and making profits. Companies are under relentless pressure to reduce costs while meeting the high quality expectations of the customer to maintain a competitive advantage. Cellular manufacturing, where properly implemented, is able to allow companies to achieve cost savings and quality improvements, especially when combined with the other aspects of lean manufacturing. Cell manufacturing systems are currently used to manufacture anything from hydraulic and engine pumps used in aircrafts to plastic packaging components.

Jythra Engineering Services
________________________________________

What is Lean Manufacturing ?

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:21:00 +0000

Principles of Lean Manufacturing - A More Profitable Way

Most of the manufacturer waste 70 to 90% of their resources during manufacturing. It is a difficult process to reduce the waste; even a best Lean Manufacturing plant may have around 30% wastage of its resources.

Lean manufacturing is a technique to reduce the waste in a manufacturing process. As a result of lean manufacturing techniques, several companies are thriving, operating with less waste and using fewer resources to produce quality goods.

The benefits of lean manufacturing include:
Reduced lead time
Optimized space usage
Increased productivity
Improved product quality

Improved delivery schedulesMany companies also have realized higher employee morale, in part because lean manufacturing includes listening to workers and their ideas about how to run things better.

Jythra Engineering Services
_________________________________________

Navistar Finds Growth in Non-Traditional Markets

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:18:00 +0000

Mar 20, 2007 10:27 AM

Navistar International Corporation today reported that growth in non-traditional vehicle markets is paying off as total first-quarter worldwide shipments were flat despite a 6% decline in Class 6-8 commercial truck and school bus shipments in the United States and Canada brought about by a mid-cycle correction coupled with the end of the 2006 pre-buy.

Worldwide shipments of school buses, Class 6-7 medium trucks and Class 8 heavy trucks and non-traditional vehicles for the three months ended January 31, 2007, totaled 27,500 units, down 0.4% from the 27,600 units shipped in the same period a year earlier. Non-traditional shipments were up 24% to 7,500 units from 6,000 units in the first quarter of 2006. Non-traditional shipments include military vehicles sold overseas as well as other export sales, small bus, Class 4-5 vehicles and stripped chassis for the motor home and step-van markets. With the exception of export, Class 5 and military businesses, Navistar did not participate in these markets in 2005.

Shipments of schools buses, Class 6-7 medium truck and Class 8 heavy trucks in the United States and Canada in the first quarter totaled 22,400 units, down 6.4% from the 24,000 units shipped in the first quarter of 2006.

Navistar is the world’s largest mid-range diesel engine manufacturer, and the company’s engine facilities shipped a total of 104,000 units during the quarter, down from 123,100 units a year earlier. Shipments of diesel engines to Ford Motor Company were down by nearly 19,000 units.
The company has not changed its previously announced forecast of industry volume for the United States and Canada for its fiscal year ending October 31, 2007. It is anticipated that sales of medium and heavy trucks and school buses will range from 325,000 to 347,000 units, which would represent a decline of between 24% to 28% from the record 454,500 units sold in fiscal 2006.

While Navistar typically does not break out its own segment forecast of U.S. and Canadian industry sales, to demonstrate the rapid growth in its non-traditional markets, the company said it anticipates that its own sales of non-traditional vehicles in fiscal 2007 will range between 35,000 units to 40,000 units, a gain of 20% to 26% over fiscal 2006 sales.
Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer, said the goal is to achieve $15 billion in revenues with 10% segment margins by 2009 with good returns at all points of the business cycle.

Ustian said that the company maintained its market share position for the first fiscal quarter year-over-year and, more importantly, “maintained our stance on pricing and collected for the full value of our products.”

“With our first quarter market share position in our core businesses, and the growth in our non-traditional businesses, we continue to be focused on delivering on our commitments by aggressively implementing a plan based on three strategic initiatives: great products, a competitive cost structure, and profitable growth,” Ustian said.

“Even with the industry expected to be down approximately 25% in 2007 and engine shipments slowing, we believe the growth in other areas and our focus on margin improvement will enable us to deliver a solid 2007,” Ustian said.

Source Courtesy : http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/news

Jythra Engineering Services
___________________________________________

DaimlerChrysler (DC’s) Truck Group

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:16:00 +0000

DaimlerChrysler (DC’s) Truck Group will launch its globally standardized heavy-duty engine platform at Freightliner in 2007 as part of DC’s global initiative to have Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, Sterling and Mitsubishi Fuso brands share 90% of their engine parts.

The Truck Group estimates that 52% of the new heavy-duty engines will be used by Freightliner in the NAFTA region, 40% by Mercedes-Benz in Europe and Latin America and 8% by Mitsubishi Fuso in Japan.

The parts sharing initiative is a pillar in DC’s plan to achieve a profit margin of 7% for the Truck Group. The drive train offers the greatest potential for savings, DC said.

Jythra Engineering Services
__________________________________________

Outsourcing Engineering Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:17:00 +0000

Today I was reading some topic about the the challenges of outsourcing. Few people are very negative in that topic about the cost and ineffectiveness. Please check here.

Here is my true opinion about outsourcing. Companies have to be really careful while outsourcing their services. Not all services can be outsourced. Where the project requires more skill and specialization, direct interaction with team better to keep it local instead of outsourcing. Those projects like engineering changes, CAD work, CAM, new concept developments, VA/VE projects etc., can be very effectively outsourced.

There is not hard and fast rule about cost comparison. It mainly depends on the skills available at offshore center, their proactiveness, resources availability etc. If we miss or overlook these factors, we end up paying more cost for outsourced projects.

Another important factor is communication. I have been the project coordinator for almost four years. It is very important to convey the requirements to offshore team. Better to give clear inputs and requirements in beginning to save time and to reduce communication. At the end, today's economy is a global pool of resources. Where skills are available at low price, jobs will go there. It is obvious for any manufacturer or trader to run their business effectively.

Jythra Engineering Services
___________________________________________

Engineers' Drive for Energy in 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:57:00 +0000

Hello, thanks for visiting.

In my opinion, energy is the most important factor in 21st century. As the cost of energy sources (natural gas, petrol, diesel etc.) are going up, we need to concentrate well on alternate sources of energy.

About 3 minutes of energy coming from Solar insolation can meet the energy requirements of World for one year. There are no effective methods yet in the industry to capture the solar energy. Engineers should put more efforts in this direction to help the World.

Energy is the key source for almost any activity. If we can generate cheap energy, we can ensure more automation and make human lives more comfortable.

Tidal power is also another huge natural source for countries have large length of sea shores such as India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Australia etc.

Once again, "drive for energy" is my slogan for engineers in 21st Century.

Jythra Engineering Services
______________________________________

Unigraphics CAM - Boundary Machining

noreply@blogger.com (Krishna Chaitanya) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:21:00 +0000

Today I would like to share the boundary machining methodology I tried recently. In one of my recent project on Aluminum machining, I have nested four parts. My intention was to create four different parts from a single stock. It includes the rough cavity cut and finish fixed contour cut.

I have used #8 counter sunk screw to hold the part and used a 1/8" dowel pin to avoid rotation of part. 1/8" Ball nose cutter was used for entire machining.

I normally prefer to use a single cutter for complete machining which eliminates the need of "Z" point reset.

Instead of machining the unnecessary stock material, I have created a rough boundary against each part which is slightly greater than the tool diameter. I wanted to separate the remaining stock in block form itself instead of machining it into chips.

I have taken care to use the transfer plane as clearance plane instead of previous plane at each level of cut. Well, it all worked well except for one problem. There was a chunk of island remained after the boundary cut which was separated from parts. I have not cleared the bottom surface of material so that this island can fall down.

Hence, it remained inside the pocket hindering the tool movement in successive cuts. Luckily I was watching the machine that time, slowed down the cutting speed and carefully removed the island. It was almost breaking the cutter.

So, here is the lesson I learnt. It is a very good practice to do the boundary machining with clearance plane transfer (don't forget this to avoid cutter fouling with in process work piece). You have to make sure the solid scrap material will fall down automatically after its separation from the blank stock.

This method can save up to 30 to 40% of overall machining time.

Jythra Engineering Services
_______________________________________