Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that skyTran, developer of a personal rapid transit system taking aim at the world of gridlocked traffic, is using software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to develop and manufacture a new maglev transport system. Using Simcenter MAGNET software, skyTran reduced physical prototyping costs by 90%.
Founded in 2011, and now a NASA Space Act company, skyTran is headquartered in Huntington Beach, California. Its high capacity, personal mass transit system and its on-demand, personal occupancy vehicles allow riders and cargo to travel above the road at motorway speeds and beyond. Vehicles operate autonomously and use proprietary switching technology to safely navigate complex guideway networks direct-to-destination without the constraints of ground-based corridors.
The system uses a modified and improved maglev variant called electrodynamic suspension, based on coupled levitation and propulsion systems. skyTran’s propulsion system uses a drive motor with a magnetic rotor and aluminum stator. In contrast, the levitation system uses the electromagnets in the vehicle and their interaction with the steel guideways.
To develop this revolutionary transport system, skyTran has a full-scale test rig, but each test takes a lot of time and cost. Additionally, it can be difficult to visualise what’s happening in the physical system while it is operating. Gaining further insight necessitated adding sensors, but these can influence the results from the test rig. To overcome this, the team wanted a simulation solution that could help reduce the scale of the test rig program and interrogate the test in new, faster and cheaper ways.
skyTran chose Simcenter MAGNET from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to help them confront these issues. “By using Simcenter MAGNET we can speed up the manufacturing of the parts and building of the test fixture process by four times compared to when we don’t do any simulation,” says Iana Volvach, finite elements analysis engineer, skyTran. “In terms of the cost, we can save a lot since we don’t buy the parts to create every single experiment and the test fixture for it. When modelling with Simcenter MAGNET we can reduce the cost spent on prototypes by 90% compared to when no simulation is used.”
Revolutionising mining operations with MineOptimize
IT in Manufacturing
Now more than ever, mining and mineral processing companies need to boost productivity, ensure safety, and protect the environment. ABB’s comprehensive electrification, automation and digital solutions portfolio is ideally positioned to meet these challenges across all mining processes, from mine to port, transforming performance in a digital world.
Read more...Buildings in Africa’s urban evolution Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Africa is now an urban continent. How does the continent mobilise to accommodate urban dwellers and maintain and implement critical infrastructure that allows for this expansion? Building management systems provide a tangible solution to optimise resource use, lower operations costs and ultimately contribute to a growing continent that also employs green practices.
Read more...TwinCAT Vision functionality extended Beckhoff Automation
IT in Manufacturing
The image processing and camera integration capabilities of Beckhoff’s TwinCAT 3 Vision software have been expanded.
Read more...Automation software to future-proof your operations Adroit Technologies
IT in Manufacturing
As the official partner of Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation, Adroit Technologies empowers businesses with cutting-edge solutions that reduce costs, improve quality and increase productivity.
Read more...Siemens automation portfolio, your bridge to the industrial metaverse Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Step into the future with Siemens’ automation portfolio, your bridge to the industrial metaverse. Our cutting-edge solutions integrate AI, digital twins and real-time simulation, driving smarter, more efficient production.
Read more...Optimise the cutting of metal materials
IT in Manufacturing
KRON Cutting is a comprehensive web-based system designed to optimise the cutting of metal materials, including rebar, pipes and profiles.
Read more...Black Rock Mining centralises mining operations with AVEVA
IT in Manufacturing
Black Rock Mine Operations replaced and upgraded its existing infrastructure, and installed additional capacity to expand production from 3 to 4,6 million tons in three years. The new system is powered by a suite of AVEVA solutions.
Read more...The strategic role of technology in today’s economy
IT in Manufacturing
In an era of economic uncertainty and persistent market volatility, businesses are under immense pressure to manage costs while maintaining operational effectiveness. The role of chief information officers and chief technology officers has never been more critical, as they are tasked with leveraging technology not just as a tool for efficiency but as a strategic asset in navigating these turbulent times.
Read more...Minutes to meltdown: surviving a cyber attack
IT in Manufacturing
Commvault recently hosted its Minutes to Meltdown event. Led by the company’s security experts, this was an interactive and detailed ransomware attack simulation designed to help companies understand how to respond in the event of a cyber attack.
printer friendly version