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GM: Engineering Vehicles 24 Hours a Day -- In Virtual Factories

28 July 1997

GM: Engineering Vehicles 24 Hours a Day -- In Virtual Factories

    ERICE, Italy, July 28 -- The "virtual engineering factory" --
where vehicles are engineered around the clock and around the globe -- is not
far off, declared Ken Baker, General Motors vice president of
Research and Development (R&D), addressing the Global Automotive Management
Council today at its inaugural meeting held at the Center for Scientific
Culture in Erice, Italy.
    "The winning OEM's in the future will be those who are fully integrated
into a global business network that includes the customer, the company,
suppliers, and academia ... and who can do product development 24 hours a day
using math-based systems," Baker said.
    Baker capsulized the breakthroughs in use of math data which have already
been made at General Motors, including GM's VisualEyes virtual reality
technology.  "VisualEyes can produce fullscale, fully three-dimensional
virtual prototypes of vehicle exteriors, interiors, components, and even
production tooling," Baker noted, adding that the benefits include dramatic
reductions in the need for costly physical models while speeding up the
development process.
    Other examples of math-based systems GM is routinely using in its product
development programs include: 3-D simulations for modeling vehicle structures,
crashworthiness, safety restraints, and manufacturing tooling; computational
fluid dynamics codes for designing and analyzing engine combustion systems,
transmissions, interior climate control systems, and vehicle aerodynamics; and
high-level systems for automated design of integrated chips and
electromechanical components.
    "Our math-based capability has led to a number of breakthroughs, including
GM's new Stabilitrak control system, electronically enhanced steering,
continuously variable suspensions, more precise engine control, and a host of
processing advantages -- and that's only the beginning," noted Baker, adding
that GM is moving rapidly toward 100 percent math-based vehicle development.
    The Global Automotive Management Council is made up of leaders from around
the worldwide automotive industry.  The Council aims to foster dialogue on
common, non-competitive issues and challenges to gain a balanced global view
and formulate a program of action to address common challenges.

SOURCE  General Motors Corporation