F O C U S 2 3 utive Vice President of Technology and Operations, said: „The greatest challenge is working with all of today‘ s available technologies, generating know-how and implementing this know-how into an organization based on experience. This makes it possible to develop innovative solutions and broaden the technological horizon.“ TEST FACILITY CONCEPTS – BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE Test systems used in test facilities, for example engine and powertrain test beds or chassis dynamometers, require substantial amounts of room and energy. With regard to the building concept, this poses challenges that need to be solved today. „Over the next few years we‘ll be seeing myriad technological changes and advances. So, building concepts have to be designed flexibly to be able to respond swiftly to the evolving technology. Miniaturizing and combining different test systems is an important aspect in this matter,“ explained Michael Conrad, Director of Portfolio Management at AVL. „Technology miniaturization is partially also achieved by digitalization. But what we need to continue to address as one of our guiding principles is the increase in power density and the improved use of space in test cells,“ the expert added. SMART SERVICES – INTELLIGENT TEST FACILITIES Another subject AVL is concentrating on are so-called „smart services.“ In connection with test facilities of the future, these are test systems that are self-corrective if they make any mistakes. Smart services also include preventive concepts in view of device maintenance and even systems that can repair themselves. „AVL has a wide-ranging portfolio of measuring devices which have smart diagnostics features, allowing them to monitor their functions and report any errors. This is also known as predictive maintenance: systems which let the support staff know that there is an urgent need of maintenance,“ Voigt explained. INTERACTION & COLLABORATION – TOMORROW‘S WAY OF CONTROLLING EQUIPMENT Another key question which AVL is asking itself today is: How will future test systems be operated? AVL experts see two major trends in this respect: intuitive handling and natural interfaces to particular systems. „Ultimately, there will have to be natural interfaces for users. By this we mean links between simulation systems and test sys- > Kai Voigt, AVL Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations Instrumentation and Test Systems Photo: © AVL/Peter Riedler.
Focus_2016_02_E
To see the actual publication please follow the link above