Abstract
Streamline Processing, an LMS CADA-X tool for automating processing of automatic transmission testing data, made it possible to reduce data analysis time from four months to three or four weeks. ZF Group, Friedrichshafen, Germany, the world's largest independent powertrain producer, puts each new transmission design through a demanding series of physical tests that take several weeks to complete. In the past, it took months to manually view, validate, condition, edit, process and analyze the data to prepare it for use with fatigue analysis programs that estimate life of critical components and other purposes. Recently, engineers from LMS International, Leuven, Belgium, used the streamline processing module within their LMS CADA-X Time Data Processing Monitor (TMON) and TecWare data analysis software packages for automating nearly this entire process. The role of the technician for final validation of the data could not be automated. However, colour codes in the display assist the user in identifying critical ranges and validating the data. The data viewing process now takes about three weeks and all other analysis can be completed in a single batch run overnight, allowing ZF to complete their testing program three months sooner than before. The flexibility of the module makes it possible for ZF engineers to easily vary the analysis parameters to meet specific individual customer specifications and comply with new requirements as they arise.
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