| | april 20149CIOReviewThe Use of Modern Technologies in Driveline Engineeringefficiency and mass optimization. The tools also factor in manufacturability concerns and quality performance. To ensure first-time-right designs that exceed customers' expectations, companies are using product lifecycle management (PLM) programs that facilitate reuse, instant access, and global sharing of data. The computer infrastructures track benchmarking data and have proven to be the backbone of product design data and information. PLM drives improved productivity, accuracy and decision-making and is used in tandem with CAD systems that are integrated into our cost estimating systems, manufacturing systems and simulation tools. PLM is a disciplined process of ensuring designs meet requirements and enable the integration of additional design and analysis tools. Auto industry leaders are beginning to incorporate "best practices" tools that allow them to capture manufacturing and product engineering data simultaneously. This active knowledge management system ensures that knowledge bases are correct and current, so prior to releasing a part, you can be confident that it meets all assembly, manufacturing and performance criteria. The tools have roots in engineering, but also have the ability to take on some of the more complex, intense knowledge management challenges in the highly interconnected world of advanced manufacturing. Many design "best practices" tools are flexible and a robust solution for many knowledge-concentrated endeavors. Upon testing designs made with these tools, nearly 100 percent pass, eliminating repetitive design cycles. The tools are capable of putting technical knowledge to work to assess designs, select the proper design framework and power true innovation. By adding a cost estimation tool to the mix, users are able to make informed decisions and drive out product design costs. A cost modeling tool allows a company to more accurately assign a cost to a part by including cost contributors such as manufacturing and assembly processes, location, man hours and other support requirements. Starting with a solid cost model at the early design level provides real-time predictive cost estimates. A computer-aided structural optimization tool further enables auto companies to explore structurally efficient concepts in the earliest phases of the design process. In manufacturing, it is important to design products that can carry the proper loads at the lowest mass possible. The programs also assist in generating efficient driveline designs that can be efficiently integrated into a vehicle's architecture. Technology leadership takes investment, commitment and vision. As AAM's driveline and drivetrain product lineup advances, I expect that our current simulation and modeling technologies will evolve or simply be replaced. The replacements will quickly and continuously assist us in adapting product offerings to meet the changing demands of the market.Math-based modeling and simulation tools assist the engineering teams in making multiple design iterations, many that run even while they are home asleepTerry J. Woychowski
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