Large differences in the load collective and complicated system architectures require a methodical and structured approach to development and for fleet monitoring.
The commercial vehicle and machine industry manufacture products for very different load collectives such as trucks, port cranes, wheel-loaders, combine harvesters, etc. The annual production volume varies across several orders of magnitude. Diesel engines are still currently the primary energy source for mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical power. Hydrogen-based drives with combustion engines and fuel cells are being developed and will certainly conquer their share of the market. Quality and reliability over very long operating periods are core criteria for market success.
Commercial vehicles and machines need to cope with extremely different load cycles and yet still be developed in the same programs to keep costs down to acceptable levels. Their lifetime targets are particularly high for the high-power classes. Therefore, the classical approach of only generating proof using endurance tests is not a practical validation strategy. There is simply not enough time and not enough resources for it.
Uptime ENGINEERING’s reliability process organises methods and processes that use the synergetic potential and the possibilities at a component level. Load capacities and system responses are derived from functional tests and simulation. The proof of maturity with components and modules is pushed in order to gain a basis for lifetime evaluations. The validation is supplemented by quality measures for reliability. The highest availability is achieved through state-based maintenance. This is controlled by fleet monitoring that is based on the risk analysis obtained during development.
