You are currently viewing eMercedesBenz' past articles published in November, 2006.  Our latest stories can be found here.

With the Digital Factory project, DaimlerChrysler production planners are moving in a new direction. In particular, planners of halls, body-in-white facilities, assembly lines and logistics are turning their attention to digital methods, digital processes and 3D geometries of components, production equipment and buildings. Their efforts are helping series production vehicles to reach an advanced level of development at a very early stage.

The road to the future starts in the basement — or, more precisely, in the lower level of Building 28 at DaimlerChrysler’s plant in Sindelfingen, Germany. That’s where the "Digital Factory Planning Room" is located. Here, planning specialists from all units at the Group meet to discuss the construction of new factory halls and production facilities, as well as the renovation of existing ones...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Twelve:  Planning For The Future In 3D"

Vehicle electrical and electronic systems are not only becoming more comprehensive; they’re also growing increasingly complex, especially in terms of their functions. This development is being driven by automakers’ ability to precisely define which requirements a certain component must meet in order to ensure that it can subsequently be integrated as desired into the overall system. For a component or system to even be suitable for cross-platform applications, a very sophisticated approach is needed — a new culture of vehicle development that demands more than simply specifying technical processes.

Anyone who thinks a blinker is only a simple light, or says that a tachometer can hardly be considered a complex instrument, can expect a vociferous rebuttal from Frank Houdek. The DaimlerChrysler researcher needs only a few minutes to convince even the most uninformed lay person that such notions are all wrong. “I myself am time and again amazed by how complex the definitions of requirements have to be, even for components I had thought were very simple,” he reassures his novice visitor...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Eleven:  Global Development"

The introduction of electric arc wire spraying in engine production has made it possible to build very low-friction cylinder running surfaces in aluminum engines.

The new 6.3-liter V8 engine developed by engineers at DaimlerChrysler’s AMG subsidiary is the world’s most powerful eight-cylindery naturally aspirated engine. It delivers an output of 386 kW (525 hp), and 630 Nm of torque at the crankshaft, and is now being used in various AMG models, most recently the Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG high-tech coupe. The fully aluminum engine has 32 valves, a cylinder bore of 102.2 millimeters, and a stroke of 94.6 millimeters. It achieves its impressive power not only from its large displacement and favorably streamed intake and exhaust system, but also by means of a unique innovation deep in its interior: The running surfaces of the light-metal cylinders consist of an “EAS coating” that ensures extremely low-friction operation...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Ten:  Short Circuits Cut Down On Friction"

Adding new functions to a vehicle that are useful for the customers is one of the challenging tasks the DaimlerChrysler developers face. After all, premieres in automotive engineering highlight the company’s technological leadership. However, innovations also harbor a number of risks. No customer accepts “teething troubles” in technical advancements. To address this problem, a joint project has been set up between DaimlerChrysler’s Advanced Development unit, the Mercedes Car Group and the van business. The objective: Reliability has to become predictable from the very start...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Nine:  Innovations?  Sure Thing!"

The benefits of production robots, which play a vital role in automotive manufacturing, are undisputed. However, they also require elaborate safety systems to ensure people who might accidentally get in their way are protected from injury. Under everyday production conditions at its Sindelfingen plant, DaimlerChrysler is about to test a new concept: SafetyEYE is designed to monitor a robot’s radius of action — the volume within which it operates. Group researchers in Ulm have provided the algorithms needed to process the images.

Robots can stack and pallet goods, weld, bolt, glue, drill, paint and polish workpieces — and many other tasks besides. What’s more, these immensely versatile pieces of production machinery can accomplish a vast range of operations faster, more precisely and more consistently than even the most conscientious of workers. In fact, there’s only one thing they lack: the ability to perceive workers in their midst. As soon as they are switched on, they will continue carrying out their programmed operation until someone presses the stop button or pulls the plug...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Eight:  Three Eyes Are Better Than Two"

The increased utilization of shared parts makes for more efficient production. However, it also necessitates solutions that can be effectively employed in the heterogeneous IT worlds at the affected business units and external companies. DaimlerChrysler researchers played a role in the creation of such an IT “artist of adaptation” and are now expanding its capabilities.

The two vehicles — the tiny smart fortwo and the big, powerful Actros truck — couldn’t be more different. Nevertheless, they have more in common than meets the eye, as the same type of bolt is used to fasten the instrument panel in both the two-seater and the truck. Vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and smart also have the same hose clamps and cupholders...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Seven:  Artists Of Adaptation"

Electronic engine control units are among the most important components in today’s motor vehicles. Alongside researchers, advanced and series development engineers at DaimlerChrysler are further improving these devices with the help of new regulating procedures.

Achieving high performance at minimal fuel consumption and the lowest emissions possible — the demands placed on today’s engines are without a doubt extremely challenging. Customers want a car that offers them pure comfort and driving pleasure, but at the same time doesn’t guzzle gas. In addition, lawmakers are placing increasingly stringent emission limits on vehicles...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Six:  Effective Engine Control"

An interview with Prof. Bharat Balasubramanian, head of DaimlerChrysler’s Group Research and Advanced Development Electrical/Electronic, IT and Processes directorate:

The PreSafe brake, which marks the latest safety technology development, not only assists drivers but also takes decision-making power from them by automatically initiating a braking maneuver in dangerous situations. How much will DaimlerChrysler intervene in driver autonomy?

Safety systems like the PreSafe brake are designed to support drivers in normal and critical driving situations, but never to supercede their decision-making power. Our systems therefore react in three stages: In critical situations, drivers are initially warned of the danger through a visual signal, which is followed in the second stage by an acoustic alarm. It is only in the third stage — in the case of PreSafe, after a driver has failed to brake and a rear-end collision becomes unavoidable — that the system intervenes automatically by generating 40 percent of maximum braking force...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Five:  Finding The Right Balance"

Four prototypes and one show car, each equipped with a different drive system, demonstrate how smart will be mastering the challenges of the future. With hybrid, natural gas or electric drives — the fortwo is an economical transformation artist.

It may be DaimlerChrysler’s smallest car, but the smart fortwo definitely measures up to its big brothers when it comes to vehicle engineering. For one thing, the little two seater’s extremely strong tridion occupant cell makes it one of the safest vehicles in its segment. And the smart fortwo is an agile car offering impressive fuel economy, regardless of whether it’s equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine. In fact, the smart fortwo cdi is the top-selling “three-liter” car, with 140,000 units sold to date. The three-cylinder gasoline version also boasts very economical fuel consumption, needing only 4.7 liters of premium gasoline to travel 100 kilometers...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Four:  smart Alternatives"

Maintenance and oil changes are two of the more burdensome responsibilities that go along with owning a car — and they also represent a significant cost factor in the operation of commercial vehicles. This is why DaimlerChrysler engineers decided to search for ways to substantially lengthen maintenance intervals.

One of the more useful — if admittedly irritating — indicators on today’s instrument clusters is the maintenance-interval warning display in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, and its Flexible Service System (FSS) counterpart in the brand’s heavy-duty commercial vehicles. These instruments notify drivers when their vehicles are due for the next maintenance check and, more important, for their next oil change...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Three:  The Swishing Trick"

DaimlerChrysler researchers are working on the lighting technology of tomorrow. Installed in headlights, powerful light-emitting diodes can provide superior illumination and enhanced safety. Using LEDs in vehicle-to-vehicle communication is yet another interesting possibility.

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, have been used in automobile tail-lights and brake lights for a number of years now, and they could well become standard issue for headlights and interiors of new passenger cars in the foreseeable future. These crystalline semiconductor diodes, which directly convert electric current into light, promise a whole range of benefits in vehicle manufacture...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part Two:  Small Lights With A Big Future"

To kick things off on this, the first day of the Los Angeles Auto Show, DaimlerChrysler has published a number of press releases which provide a unique look at the development and technology that goes into every Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Due to the sheer number of press releases I'm not going to comment on each one; but I will publish all of them and let you browse any that may be of interest to you.

So stay tuned... I'll get them out as quickly as possible, starting with a press release that describes what techniques Mercedes and their design team utilize to plan for the future...

Keep Reading "Mercedes Technology Part One:  Eyes On The Future"

Just one day before the Los Angeles Auto Show gets underway, AUDI and Volkswagen have announced that they in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler will help establish the BLUETEC brand name as the designation for particularly clean, highly-efficient passenger cars and SUV's with diesel engines.  Under the shared concept of Daimler's BLUETEC moniker, each of the brands will develop their own technical system for meeting the world's most stringent emission regulations...

Keep Reading "Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen And Jeep Launch BLUETEC Diesel Initiative"

Further adding to my obsession over what is an unmistakably-ravishing work of automotive brilliance, Mercedes has updated their AMG website to include the illustrious CL63 AMG model. 360 degree exterior and interior views; technical specifications and highlights - all are available for your viewing pleasure.

What's more, as our good friend Marvin pointed out, the CL63 AMG Konfigurator has also been added to Mercedes-Benz of Germany's website, allowing residents of Deutschland to price and build their very own AMG-enhanced luxury coupe...

Keep Reading "Mercedes CL63 AMG Added To Mercedes AMG And Mercedes-Benz Germany Websites"

"When is too much power too much" is the question posed by Automobile magazine, and the answer, at least according to them, is in the case of the S65  AMG.

After analyzing how AMG-tuned Mercedes models are nothing more than powerful engines dropped into standard cars (as opposed to BMW's M-Series that they state "tunes the entire car to work harmoniously"), Automobile then delivers a gripping narrative of what happens when you accelerate in an S65 without traction and stability control engaged.

Yeah, you guessed it - you lose traction...

Keep Reading "Automobile Magazine's Take On The Mercedes S65 AMG's 604 Horsepower V12"