Browse Topic: Maintenance and Aftermarket
The impending formal adoption of SAE J1939-91C creates an urgent need for rigorous, repeatable validation methods that extend beyond functional conformance. This paper presents a structured validation and benchmarking framework, with a focus on performance characterization across dynamic vehicle configurations. Building on prior work in secure network formation, rekeying, and Golden Tester concepts, we define a minimal, transport-agnostic set of cryptographic and protocol test vectors for deterministic validation of secure message authentication, alongside simulation-based methods for evaluating network formation and rekey behavior. The framework integrates performance metrics such as secure message latency, rekey time and throughput, while also introducing cybersecurity-specific diagnostics and logging requirements for gateway module implementation. Security validation scenarios are mapped to explicit detection and response benchmarks. The resulting methodology provides OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and research organizations with a practical, reproducible approach to validating J1939-91C implementations, supporting both development-phase evaluation and ongoing lifecycle assurance.
AMS3970/6 Material Specification (MS) defines the requirements of carbon fiber plain weave fabric, 193 g/m2, reinforced epoxy structural prepreg for repair, curing under vacuum at 120 °C (250 °F), and a companion non-structural glass fiber fabric reinforced epoxy prepreg, 105 g/m2, used in repair of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy structures and qualified according to AMS3970/1 and AMS3970/2 for aerospace applications. The prepreg system may include an epoxy film adhesive to be applied in a co-curing process with the prepreg for joint and sandwich bonding. The need for a film adhesive shall be established during screening tests. If included, the requirements to be met by the adhesive are also defined in this document.
To address the lack of safe and effective on-site vehicle blocking and control methods in the event of fires or other emergencies in extra-long tunnels — which can significantly reduce traffic safety risks and prevent secondary accidents — this study proposes a novel barrier-free light–smoke curtain interception method. The method integrates conventional traffic safety warning facilities (gantry-mounted variable message signs and audio–visual alarms) with two light–smoke curtain interception images to form a composite early-warning and interception system. Driving simulation experiments were conducted to comprehensively evaluate its warning effectiveness, interception performance, and operational safety in comparison with methods employing only traditional warning facilities or light curtain images. Furthermore, field drills were performed to validate its real-world applicability and interception effectiveness under both daytime and nighttime conditions. The main findings are as follows: 1) The fixation ratio and interception success rate associated with the proposed method were significantly higher than those of the other two methods, demonstrating enhanced visual attention and superior warning and interception performance. 2) The maximum deceleration observed with the proposed method was lower than that of the light curtain–only method and did not trigger emergency braking, thereby indicating high operational stability and driver comfort. 3) In field drills, after activation of the interception equipment, only one and two vehicles entered the tunnel under daytime and nighttime conditions, respectively, and full control of on-site vehicles was achieved within two minutes without any traffic accidents, verifying the system’s rapid response and effective safety assurance.
The stable operation of airborne equipment determines the functionality and performance standards of aircraft. Installing vibration isolation systems on such equipment aims to improve its performance. With the advancement of aircraft capabilities, future evaluations of airborne equipment’s vibration isolation systems will require increasingly real-world experimental assessment. Achieving a ground-based simulation of the complex coupling environment encountered by airborne equipment at high altitudes presents a huge challenge. This paper proposes a method utilizing air springs to simulate differential pressure forces, successfully enabling ground-based testing of “vibration-differential pressure” coupled environments for airborne equipment. The results verify the effectiveness of this approach, and it can be used for this type of environmental testing.
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Patuxent River, MD
To safely, efficiently, and high-quality complete the mechanical testing of batch-produced manned spacecraft during the China Space Station (CSS) phase, a series of optimization measures were proposed based on system engineering principles. These measures cover the entire mechanical testing process from preparation to implementation, including: establishing a standardized mechanical testing documentation system; reducing the number of mechanical sensors that do not affect result evaluation; pre-identifying and measuring background noise; digitizing test notching and evaluation methods; and standardizing and automating testing procedures. Additionally, targeted measures for test safety and quality control were implemented, including regular inspections of reusable spacecraft components, strict control of test hazards and operational risks, and standardized management of ground support equipment (GSE) through regular inspections. The proposed optimization and control measures have been validated through applications in batch-produced manned spacecraft during the CSS phase. The results show that: the generalization rate of mechanical testing documentation exceeds 80%; the number of mechanical sensors has been reduced by more than 10%; the test preparation period has been shortened by over 4 days; test efficiency has been improved by 30%; the single-direction test duration has been reduced by more than 50%; and the total test cycle has been shortened by 25%. These results indicate that the proposed optimization and control measures are reasonable and feasible, which effectively reduces redundant test operations and items, lowers potential test risks, improves test efficiency, shortens the overall test cycle, enhances test safety, and ensures the high-quality completion of mechanical testing for batch-produced manned spacecraft.
Extreme winter weather often leads to ice accretion on transmission lines. Manual removal is inefficient, costly, and poses safety risks. To address this issue, this paper presents the design of a de-icing robot to replace manual operations for transmission line de-icing. The main content focuses on the detailed structural design of the robot, including the mobile platform, de-icing mechanism, and adaptive adjustment module. Finite element simulations are conducted on key components to verify the structural rationality and the correctness of material selection. The proposed de-icing robot enhances the safety of the de-icing process, improves operational efficiency, and provides a valuable reference for transmission line de-icing methods, demonstrating significant practical value.
Impact testing utilizing instrumented hammers and accelerometers is a widely adopted technique in dynamic testing. The mass loading effect of the accelerometer alters the dynamic response of the test structure, leading to deviations between the measured frequency response functions (FRFs) and their true values. Furthermore, the effects on the FRFs are contingent upon the positioning of the accelerometer, thereby causing the measured FRFs between two points to fail to meet the principle of reciprocity. This paper investigates the compensation method for the mass of a single accelerometer in impact testing. Compensation formulas for both origin–FRF and cross–FRF are derived using the frequency domain substructure decoupling method. Numerical simulations on a cantilever beam and experimental tests with milling tools validate the proposed methodology. The compensation formulas for FRFs presented in this paper are expected to enhance the measurement accuracy of FRFs in modal testing of small structures, particularly relevant for lightweight components in aerospace, aircraft, and transportation systems, where precise dynamic characterization is critical.
Engineers designing pivot points for outdoor and heavy-duty equipment have long accepted the familiar routine: grease it, run it, regrease it and repeat. This approach may work well enough. But as equipment pushes into harsher environments and tighter service windows, “well enough” is no longer the standard. Maintenance-free pivots - pivots that run dry, resist corrosion and hold their tolerances through seasons of hard use - offer an increasingly compelling alternative. Designing one requires rethinking what a pivot point actually is, with most engineers focusing only on the bearing itself. While this instinct is understandable, it's also incomplete. A pivot consists of a bearing, shaft and housing working together, requiring a systems-level approach. Optimize only one element and you may still end up with a failure.
Wirtgen Group hosted select media at its training and technology center near Nashville to demonstrate the full road-building workflow - from milling and paving to compaction - and how connected machines, automation and real-time data are helping crews to work more efficiently. As part of John Deere's construction equipment portfolio, Wirtgen Group's specialized machinery combines with Deere's TechStack and digital fleet management technology to improve productivity, efficiency, safety and pavement quality. Wirtgen (rehabilitation), Vögele (paving) and Hamm (compaction) machines were in action for the roadbuilding demo. Other Group brands not demoed include Kleeman for crushers and screening plants for processing, and Benninghoven, which is not part of the portfolio in the U.S., for mixing and recycling plants.
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