Exhausting possibilities

Eberspächer North America uses the latest computer design and testing technology to quickly change the way automakers are fitting exhaust systems to their vehicles.

When it comes to designing automotive exhaust systems, it was not very long ago that this important function was regarded almost as an afterthought compared to the other, more sophisticated systems on the vehicle. With the unremitting pressure to make their offerings more competitive-less costly to produce and in less time-carmakers are looking at new ways to undertake exhaust system development.

The traditional approach to exhaust system development has been first, to design a system based on original equipment manufacturer specifications, build prototype parts, then test them. In actual practice, this involves many reiterations of prototype builds and tests if performance expectations are not met-a time-consuming and expensive procedure when the labor-hours of redesign, the cost of retooling and producing new prototypes, and retesting are factored in.