INDUSTRY NEWS
Virtual development and physical endurance tests for Porsche
Michael Steiner , Member of the Executive Board , Research and Development , Porsche AG in front of two camouflaged prototypes of the all-electric Macan .
The all-electric Porsche Macan is ready to be tested on the road . After initial testing on the proving grounds of the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach , the well-camouflaged next-generation prototypes of the compact SUV are now heading outside Porsche premises for the first time .
“ Testing in a real-life environment is now getting underway – one of the most important milestones in the development process ,” said Michael Steiner , Member of the Executive Board , Research and Development , at Porsche AG . By the time the all-electric Macan is launched onto the market in 2023 , it will have covered some three million test kilometres worldwide in varying conditions . The prototypes incorporate the experience
gained from countless previous test kilometres – driven in a virtual space .
Digital development and testing not only saves time and costs , it also preserves resources , so it enhances sustainability . Instead of real vehicles , the engineers use digital prototypes – computational models that replicate the properties , systems and power units of a vehicle to a high degree of accuracy . There are 20 digital prototypes for the purpose of simulation in several development categories such as aerodynamics , energy management , operation and acoustics .
“ We regularly collate the data from the various departments and use it to build up a complete , virtual vehicle that is as detailed as possible ,” explained Andreas Huber , manager
for digital prototypes at Porsche . This allows previously undiscovered design conflicts to be swiftly identified and resolved . The aerodynamics specialists are among the first engineers to work with a digital prototype .
“ We started with a flow-around model when the project first started about four years ago ,” reported Thomas Wiegand , director of aerodynamics development . Low aerodynamic drag is fundamental to the all-electric Macan with a view to ensuring a long range . Even minor flow enhancements can make a huge difference . The engineers are currently using simulations to fine-tune details such as the cooling air ducts . The calculations not only take into account different arrangements of the components , they also reflect real-life temperature differences .
Virtual prototypes can be combined with real-world scenarios at an early stage . The best example is the development of a new display and operating concept for the next generation of Macan . Using a ‘ seat box ’ to recreate the driver ’ s environment , the display and operating concept can be brought to life in an early development phase with the digital prototype .
The first physical prototypes of the allelectric Macan were built based on the data obtained from the simulations – in some cases elaborately by hand or using special tools . These are then regularly adapted based on the virtual refinement process . Road test findings are also fed directly into digital development .
The market launch of the all-electric Macan – the first Porsche to be built on the Premium Platform Electric ( PPE ) – is planned for 2023 . Porsche is positioning itself flexibly for the transition to pure electromobility . n
InspecVision wins Queen ’ s Award for exports
Mallusk-based company , InspecVision , has been honoured with a Queen ’ s Award for Enterprise for outstanding export performance . It is one of five Northern Ireland firms and 205 organisations in the UK to be recognised with the prestigious award .
The company develops and manufactures 2D and 3D measurement systems for the inspection of manufactured components . Its core market is the sheet metal industry with customers producing components for a wide range of applications , including the automotive and aerospace sectors .
“ InspecVision has been recognised for its excellence in international trade , with overseas sales growth of 129 % over the last three years . Its main export markets are the United States , China and Europe ,” it told ISMR .
The company was established in 2005 by Dr . Jan Antonis and his father , Mike
Dr . Jan Antonis , MD , InspecVision .
Antonis . Jan Antonis had completed a PhD in computer vision at Queens University Belfast and his father had recently retired as managing director of FG Wilson Engineering . They both identified a gap in the market for ‘ high-speed , easy-to-use , lower cost inspection machines ’ and then developed and launched the Planar measurement system for 2D parts . Today , the product range is sold in over 30 countries and has expanded to include 3D inspection .
Dr . Jan Antonis , Managing Director , said : “ I am very proud to see that InspecVision has achieved the prestigious Queens Awards for Enterprise . This celebrates the dedication and commitment of our team and the immense contribution and support of our distribution partners which has enabled us to deliver world-class quality control solutions to manufacturers across the globe .”
Now in its 55th year , the Queen ’ s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK . Winning businesses may use the Queen ’ s Awards emblem for the next five years .
Applications for Queen ’ s Awards for Enterprise 2022 opened on 1 May 2021 . n
14 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR June 2021