Since its inception,
Mechatronics has envisioned the realization of the
Digital Vehicle (DV). DV includes four distinct but
interrelated areas of computing technologies:
MDA –
Mechanical Design Automation (KBE, CAD, CAM, CAE, Data
Management)
EDA –
Electrical Design Automation (KBE, CAD CAM, CAE, Data
Management)
eDA –
e-Engineering Design Automation (includes IT side of KBE,
CAD, CAM, CAE,
Date Management)
MaDA –
Manufacturing Design Automation (KBE, CAD, CAM, CAE,
Data Management)
The first idea that
Mechatronics implemented in the auto industry involved
the establishment of CAE technology in relation to
electrical and electromechanical components, subsystems
and the total system. During implementation, several
different concepts and methodologies were also
established. These concepts include the establishment
of WHCV (Wire Harness Centric View). This was a
first for the auto industry and Mechatronics was
recognized and awarded.
The concept of WHCV
enables Mechatronics to develop the System Element
Identification Process in the auto industry which
contains many elements such as generic models, specific
models, analytical development, experimental results,
resource allocation and data management. In addition,
tools such as ETOPS (EDGS to PowerView and Saber) and
XSCT (short circuit analysis tool) were developed. The
concepts of mechatronics were implemented throughout the
execution of WHCV and electromechanical components such
as switches, wires, fuses, relays, fuse boxes and many
other electromechanical modules and subsystems were
modeled and simulated.
Mechatronics has been
further involved in the development and execution of
many other mechatronics-oriented projects. The list
includes projects such as CBT (CAE Based Testing), which
directly utilizes electromechanical simulation data in
manufacturing processes. Other projects include the
development of VDS (Virtual Driving System), which
utilizes VHDL and AIMS technologies in developing a
driving system, ISG (Integrated Starter Generator),
embedded system and many other mechatronics-related
projects.
Recently,
Mechatronics, Inc. has developed a product for the Wire
Harness KBE (WH_KBE) process. A patent is pending for
this exciting product. The process will automate the
data synchronization between ECAD and MCAD, resulting in
a tremendous cost and time savings. By eliminating the
need for communication between several developers, which
can add error to the overall process, quality is
enhanced.
Mechatronics, Inc. is
in the process of developing a complete diagnostic
system called eIDS (Electronic Integrated Diagnostic
System), which utilizes cutting edge simulation
technologies and data obtained from those simulation
techniques for diagnostic purposes. eIDS is intended to
be a great accommodation to both On-Star type and
quality repair services. The potential for
implementation of eIDS is tremendous and the system can
become the main operating system of the auto industry (a
system that all simulation related activities are
launched from) in the future.