Abstract: The method and system of the present invention allow a designer of a mechanical system to quickly and easily determine the optimal design for the system. The steps include creating models of the mechanical system and simulating the performance of the models to achieve a set of results. From these results, Response Surface Models can be determined. These Response Surface Models act as surrogates for the more complex models of the mechanical system, and can be used to optimize the performance of the system. If necessary or desired, these Response Surface Models can be optimized over a range of possible values for the design parameters to achieve a robust design.

Abstract: A method (10) for acquiring material for use within a die and for determining whether a die has certain characteristics which would allow the die to have a relatively long operating life. The method (10) requires that a suppler of a die provide certain material which is analyzed to determine whether the supplied material has a certain toughness. If the material has the requisite toughness, a material signature is created and used to evaluate further materials and dies produced and/or provided by the supplier.

Abstract: A method for error proofing body shop component begins by scheduling the production of a vehicle body using an assembly plant controller. A version of a sheet metal component is then selected. The version of the sheet metal component determines what body type will be produced. To insure that the proper body type is being produced, the assembly plant controller verifies the version of the sheet metal component by using a plurality of sensors. If the wrong sheet metal component is detected, then the body shop process is stopped and the wrong sheet metal part is replaced with the correct sheet metal part. Once all correct sheet metal parts are in place, they are spot welded together to produce a vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic twin clutch for a transmission with two transmission input shafts, preferably for a power-shift transmission in motor vehicles, with concentric arrangement of the two transmission input shafts, a driven clutch housing, two hydraulically actuated clutches with friction disks and annular piston-cylinder units, the first clutch connecting the clutch housing selectably to the first transmission input shaft and the second clutch connecting the clutch housing selectably to the second transmission input shaft. It is distinguished by the fact that the two clutches are arranged adjacent one another, separated by a clutch web firmly connected to the clutch housing, and the two piston-cylinder units provided for the actuation of the clutch are likewise arranged adjacent one another and separated by the clutch web, between the clutches and the transmission input shafts, on a smaller diameter than the clutches.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a finite element mesh for a threaded fastener and joining structure assembly includes a computer system for generating a mesh model of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly by creating nodes and elements for each non-threaded portion of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using cylindrical coordinates and creating nodes and elements for each threaded portion of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using helical coordinates. The system and method also includes a user evaluating the mesh model of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using finite element analysis and evaluating a result of the finite element analysis using a visualization software program and a computer system. The system and method further includes a user predicting a stress of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly from the evaluation of the result of the finite element analysis.

Abstract: A quality operation system or method 10 for performing manufacturing projects 12. The method 10 efficiently organizes the project into five phases including a concept proposal phase 24, a concept feasibility phase 26, a manufacturing concept ready phase 28, a manufacturing implementation ready phase 30, and a replication phase 32.

Abstract: A method 10 for maintaining the quality of produced goods by selectively, automatically, and remotely identifying the location of the goods 11 within a storage facility 19, thereby allowing modifications to be efficiently made to the located goods 11 in order to maintain the quality of the goods 11.

Abstract: A method for operating a power transmission to produce gear ratio changes includes driveably connecting the transmission input and output in the off-going gear through a friction clutch and primary power path, establishing a potential drive connection between the input and output through a secondary power path, releasing the friction clutch, driveably connecting the input and output through the secondary power path, establishing a potential drive connection between the input and output through the primary power path in the oncoming gear, reapplying the friction clutch, driveably disconnecting the input and output through the secondary power path, and driveably connecting the input and output in the oncoming gear ratio through the friction clutch and primary power path.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a computer to perform risk and decision analysis of an engineering design change in a product are provided. The method includes the steps of displaying a list of change drivers that are causing the engineering design changes and receiving a selection of a change driver from a user, displaying a set of questions soliciting general cost information associated with the engineering design change, and displaying a set of questions soliciting change driver-specific information associated with the selected change driver. The method then receives answers to the set of general cost questions from the user, and also receives answers to the set of change driver-specific questions from the user.

Abstract: A traction drive having multiple toroidal discs and power rollers located in toroidal cavities defined by the discs. Each roller is mounted in a trunnion and the trunnion is positioned in a gimbal frame wherein the axis of the trunnion is displaced through a caster angle about the roller axis.

Abstract: A method for designing and acquiring a machine by the use of benchmark machines which perform a certain function or operation in a desired manner. Certain locations are analyzed on the benchmark machines and vibration measurements and/or impact tests conducted on these locations which allow certain attributes or characteristics to be respectively assigned to these locations. The new machine is designed to improve upon these respective characteristics or attributes, thereby performing the operation in a highly accurate and reliable manner.

Abstract: An improved and automated method of analyzing data is provided. The method includes the steps of: gathering data from at least one field in financial statements from at least two different time periods or views; applying a volume variance subroutine against the gathered data; applying a mix variance subroutine against the gathered data; applying a net revenue change subroutine against the gathered data; applying a cost change subroutine against the gathered data; applying an exchange subroutine against the gathered data; applying a one-time subroutine against the gathered data; and reporting the results of the volume variance subroutine, the mix subroutine, the net revenue change subroutine, the cost change subroutine, the exchange subroutine, and the one-time subroutine.

Abstract: A method of rating employee performance includes: a) receiving a list of nominated raters from the employee, including at least one manager of the employee, a plurality of the employee's peers, and a plurality of the employee's direct reports; b) electronically soliciting and receiving manager approval of the list of nominated raters; c) electronically notifying the approved raters with instructions for rating the employee; and d) receiving employee ratings data from the approved raters, wherein the steps of electronically soliciting and electronically notifying are automated. The process also includes training all users of the system in a manner in which the ratings are calibrated by comparing case studies to specific behavioral examples to provide immediate feedback to the user in a training process which is fully automated.