Powertrain & Energy - January 25, 2012 - 9

an extensive biofuels testing program of its own and is able to secure large amounts, according to Epstein. In this case, it supplied the biofuel to several aircraft and engine makers for testing. In written responses to questions from sAe Magazines, Jon Hart, Environment Strategy Manager – Civil Aerospace, rolls-royce, said: “The vast major-

ity of Rolls-Royce alternative fuel testing is carried out in laboratory and rig tests. Rolls-Royce’s preferred strategy is to support testing that is capable of generating rigorous scientific data—such as lab, rig, and ground engine testing—as opposed to flight demonstration, which yields limited useful data.” Patrick Ponticel

Building the V8 power behind McLaren’s MP4-12C supercar
Designing and building a compact—600-m² (6500-ft²)—all-new assembly facility to produce the high-performance power units of the mclaren MP4-12C would be a real challenge for any engine manufacturer. But engine production is a first for automotive engineering and strategic consultants ricardo. Closely involved in the design and development of the McLaren’s M838T V8 (as it has been for many gasoline and diesel engines for decades), Ricardo also took on the role of engine builder in a tightly planned area with equally tight timing of 18 months from inception to pilot production. The facility is built around a 10-station line with incoming materials inspection and line-side component delivery. macdonald humfrey Automation (MHA) and and its sister company, exmac Automation, played key roles in making it all happen in near-cleanroom conditions at Ricardo’s Shoreham Technical Center in southern England. Each of the stations has a human-machine interface (HMI) system supplied by MacDonald Humfrey. It provides guidance to the operator on the precise sequence of operations required at each stage of assembly. The tools and assembly equipment used at every station are instrumented and provide data

Every station at Ricardo’s engine facility has on-screen information for operators, including instructions for bolt tightening. MacDonald Humfrey Automation and Exmac Automation both played major roles in developing Ricardo’s first engine production line.

SAE Powertrain & Energy

January 25, 2012

Powertrain & Energy - January 25, 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Powertrain & Energy - January 25, 2012