Issue 9

Winter 2009

In this issue we have Positive Commitment, Hybrid vehicle Control, Functional Safety, Emissions and an interview with Anthony Baxendale from MIRA on InnovITS Advance.

Issue 8

Summer 2009

In this edition we continue our focus on advanced technologies.

We are particularly pleased to include details of MIRA’s involvement in ‘Limo Green’ – a part Technology Strategy Board funded project to deliver a low carbon variant of Jaguar’s luxurious XJ saloon. This challenging, high-profile, project saw MIRA working closely with Jaguar Cars and other project partners; Lotus and Caparo - with MIRA taking responsibility for design and integration of the vehicle’s hybrid drive and power management system.

MIRA’s defence vehicle engineering capabilities are highlighted with an overview of our ‘MACE 2’ project. This remote control vehicle platform builds upon the success of our award-winning entry in last year’s MoD Grand Challenge. ‘MACE 2’ is bigger, faster, more agile and designed for a diverse range of roles. Staying with defence, we also introduce our new range of Def Stan compliant electrical products, launched in response to the MOD’s call for engagement with Def Stan 61-5.

Rail crashworthiness also comes under the spotlight as Europe adopts new legislation to improve the crashworthiness of rail vehicles. To further showcase MIRA’s rail safety engineering capabilities we performed, what is believed to be, Britain’s first full-scale rail crash test in over 20 years.

Other topics discussed include the evaluation of a brake cooling fan for a Tornado jet aircraft, new European type approval for commercial vehicles and snow ingress testing in one of MIRA’s climatic wind tunnels.

Issue 7

Spring 2009

A couple of themes run through this edition – low carbon and intelligent transport systems (ITS).  We look at how Euro NCAP has changed to incorporate active safety and discuss some of the potential benefits of new ITS technologies.

MIRA’s involvement in defence and aerospace projects is emphasised by articles on the development of IPECO’s crew seats for the Boeing Dreamliner, work on NP Aerospace’s Mastiff and Ridgback armoured vehicles and the MOD’s call for engagement with Def. Stan. 61-5.

Introduced in the last edition, we’ve an interview with MIRA’s new CEO, Dr. George Gillespie.  George discusses his first impressions of MIRA and gives some of his views on the future of the industry.

Issue 6

Christmas 2008

Issue 6 pdf (1.6Mb)

In this festive edition of ‘M’ we introduce a couple of innovative development tools; a novel flow visualisation and capture technique developed in the wind tunnel by MIRA’s aerodynamicists and a method of automating the build of vehicle CAE models using the Kinematics and Compliance rig which should be of great interest to vehicle dynamics engineers.

Low carbon remains a key focus for our industry and will do so for the foreseeable future.  We look at the implications of the Climate Change Act 2008 and consider the technology that will help us develop the next generation of vehicles to meet its challenges.

In the last issue of ‘M’ we looked at industry best practise as applied to the functional safety of electrical and electronic systems.  In this issue we tackle the effects of the electromagnetic fields they generate on humans.

For us here at MIRA perhaps the two most significant articles relate to changes at the top of our organisation.  After 17 years at the helm MIRA’s CEO, John Wood, is retiring.  He discusses the remarkable changes to the industry over this period and how, under his leadership, MIRA has met the resultant challenges and has developed as a business.  In the same issue that sees us saying farewell and thank you to John, we also welcome his replacement, Dr. George Gillespie who joins us in the New Year.

The closing months of 2008 have been eventful for everybody in the industry, on behalf of all of us here at MIRA, have an enjoyable Christmas and we wish you all the very best for 2009.

Issue 5

Autumn 2008

Issue 5 pdf (549Kb)

In this issue we have a technical article on Team MIRA's award winning entry into the MOD's Grand Challenge for Autonomous Vehicles. Continuing on the defence theme we discuss some recent projects we've undertaken to develop anti-terrorism barriers and the creation of FE models to evaluate barrier designs on the desktop.

Many recent advances in vehicle safety are dependent on complex electronic systems ensuring the functional safety of these systems is a topic introduced in this issue. Our other main technical features are materials related, the first covers the application of Thin Layer Activation (TLA) techniques for comparing the performance of lubricants and the other how MIRA helped in the design of a glass bridge.

In terms of legislation we've been looking into proposed US federal legislation aimed at improving the protection of occupants during vehicle rollovers.

Issue 4

Spring 2008

Issue 4 pdf (700Kb)

In this issue we have a technical article on an innovative approach to designing a composite aircraft wing rib, discuss developments in drive cycles for durability testing and introduce plans for a major telematics development centre to be constructed on MIRA's site. There are details on MIRA's entry into the MOD's Grand Challenge and we launch a new range of EMC and electrical products.  Our interview feature discusses the challenges facing engineering with John Baxter, President of the IMechE and Group Engineering Director of BP.

In terms of legislation we've been looking into the European Road Safety Charter looking at the importance of driver training in capitalising on the many recent developments in vehicle active and passive safety.

Issue 3

Winter 2007/8

Issue 3 pdf (700Kb)

In this issue, we cover Vehicle Interior Air Quality (VIAQ), discuss innovations in Key Life Testing and vehicle braking. There are details on H4V, our new 'plug-in' hybrid and information about some of the changes we've made to further support our customers in some of our expanding markets.

In terms of legislation we've been looking into the complexities of alternative refrigerants for vehicle air-conditioning systems.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter and would welcome any feedback or suggestions for articles.

Issue 2

Spring 2007

Issue 2 pdf (709Kb)

Issue 1

Winter 2007

Issue 1 pdf (1.1Mb)

In the launch issue we give details of MIRA's new Optimus truck cab, and how MIRA's innovative approach to integrated design helped to produce a class leading product.

Tuning a land speed record attempt vehicle's aerodynamics can be a problem in traditional wind tunnels. Read how JCB turned to MIRA for an extensive aerodynamic CFD study of the JCB DIESELMAX.

HVSAC is the UK’s first independent absorber-lined EMC facility with a 70-Tonnes floor loading capacity, capable of accommodating large vehicles. Read about MIRA's new $1.5 million EMC facility.