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Byline: Xu Wang, Aleksandar Subic A good correlation between subjective evaluation and objective test is a key for any machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis process. This paper proposes a statistical envelope analysis approach for product quality control where Fourier spectrum is selected as diagnosis analysis characteristics. The acceptance amplitude envelope is statistically calculated from the measured random spectrum data of a large number of subjectively good samples. A product is then assessed by comparison of its measured spectrum data to the acceptance envelope. If the spectrum amplitude stays within the envelope, the product is accepted as good one, otherwise it is rejected. The statistical envelope analysis approach has been validated by diagnosis test examples of power fold (PF) actuators. Based on the correlation of objective tests and subjective evaluations of given samples, the diagnosis methodology illustrated in this paper is applicable to other products for noise diagnosis and quality control.

Byline: Aleksandar Subic, Francesco Schiavone, Martin Leary, Jack Manning The main purpose of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to date has been to evaluate life cycle impacts of different design solutions and materials for a car, its sub-systems and components. Considerable number of publications are available on LCA of automotive components. This research aims to extend the LCA approach by evaluating and comparing the effects of mass reduction of passenger seats for different vehicle models in order to provide strategic support for decision making in the development process and to validate the environmental benefits of design alternatives under investigation. For this purpose, the paper presents a comprehensive LCA of passenger seats with detailed consideration of alternative scenarios for the use phase for different vehicle models.

Byline: Mladenko Kajtaz, Aleksandar Subic, Monir Takla This paper presents a novel methodology for rapid design of sustainable vehicle structures using a collaborative Finite Element Analysis (FEA) platform. The developed platform utilises FEA substructures in a novel way to increase the vehicle development efficiency by speeding up analysis and reducing the number of iterations in the product development process. It also allows rapid validation of design changes early in a design and therefore reduction of computational effort and time without compromising accuracy. The underpinning methodology was described and illustrated here using a case study dealing with the design and optimisation of a car seat actuator assembly.

Byline: Aleksandar Subic, Lucien Koopmans As the global automotive industry sector is attempting to embrace the new green car technology paradigm, there is an urgent need to build the intellectual capacity of its workforce to achieve this objective. The challenge is to rapidly consolidate the relevant enabling knowledge as a strategic resource and make this available to relevant stakeholders, including students, engineers, researchers, managers and others. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of research that aims to build industry-aligned automotive research and education capability in green car technologies, address government policy objectives to build a domestic green car industry and create new labour market opportunities. The paper describes the global learning clusters concept and the key technological challenges and opportunities considered by the established clusters.

Byline: Edsil M. Dilla, Xu Wang, Aleksandar Subic Noise level mapping of test vehicles' floor carpets was undertaken for three frequency bands, that is, low-(2,000 Hz) to compare noise control treatment performance and effectiveness. On-road tests including idling conditions and constant speed tests of 40, 60 and 80 kph were undertaken. Noise level contour maps indicate that the luxury class test vehicle is most affected by very low-frequency noise but exhibit superior performance in the middle- and high-frequency ranges. The other two test cars are vulnerable to middle- and high-frequency noise incursion at moderately high levels. Through comparison of transmission loss measurements, using an impedance tube, critical carpet sections were identified for further noise control treatment on each carpet. Sound pressure level measurements from driver's ear level location indicate that the luxury class test vehicle has the superior in-cabin acoustic package.

Byline: Bassam Abu-Hijleh, Jiyuan Tu, Aleksandar Subic Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was used to study the effect of modifying the inlet and outlet of an elliptical rotor-casing assembly at two different rotor aspect ratios. The simulations were carried at different inlet velocities and rotor angular speeds. The flow field results were used to ascertain the changes in the efficiency of the rotor-casing assembly. The focus was on inlet pressure, maximum velocity, and maximum turbulence values. Entropy calculations were also used to evaluate the impact of the different configurations on the overall thermodynamic efficiency of the rotor-casing assembly. The results show the use of fillets has several advantages, especially when using high aspect-ratio rotors at high rpm values.

Byline: Aleksandar Subic, Dean Cvetkovic Modern petrol engines demand lightweight, compact, fast-acting fuel-injectors. There has been an increasing focus in recent years on the development of automotive fuel injector solenoids that would allow reduction in size while not compromising their performance. The main objective of this research is to develop a specific virtual design approach capable of reducing the size of the fuel injector solenoid while improving its response time and attraction force. The simplicity and effectiveness of the developed virtual design methods allow for quick and accurate evaluation of alternative fuel injector designs early in the design and development stage.

Byline: Bassam Abu-Hijleh, Jiyuan Tu, Aleksandar Subic Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was used to study the effect of modifying the inlet and outlet of an elliptical rotor-casing assembly at two different rotor aspect ratios. The simulations were carried at different inlet velocities and rotor angular speeds. The flow field results were used to ascertain the changes in the efficiency of the rotor-casing assembly. The focus was on inlet pressure, maximum velocity, and maximum turbulence values. Entropy calculations were also used to evaluate the impact of the different configurations on the overall thermodynamic efficiency of the rotor-casing assembly. The results show the use of fillets has several advantages, especially when using high aspect-ratio rotors at high rpm values.