Russia’s largest alloy rims manufacturer, K&K LLC, will start using virtual testbeds for testing new products, EurekAlert reports.
This R&D project was carried out by the CompMechLab Engineering Center, the core of the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Center of the National Technology Initiative (NTI) of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU).
Thе project is aimed to help increase the cost-efficiency of the manufacturing process by reducing the number of physical test cases. Using a virtual testbed will give a huge boost to the process of developing and launching new products. Developing and releasing new rim models will from now on only take 2 to 4 weeks. This process used to take months and even years before.
“Advanced simulation technologies ensure higher quality, greater product reliability, and full compliance with the ISO 7141 quality standard used across our industry. At the same time, it helps reduce the costs and duration of new development efforts. In collaboration with the Engineering Center of St.Petersburg Polytechnic University we have made a significant step in this direction,” said Anatoly Yermolaev, director of the technology department of “K & K” LLC.
“This solution is yet another example of highly adequate computer models of complex products also known as ‘digital twins’. It is now a key tool for developing globally competitive products for any industry with materials, manufacturing and cost constraints in mind. We have been successfully using this tool for several years by now to solve complex high-tech problems for the world’s largest car makers,” said Alexey Borovkov, vice-rector for advanced projects at SPbPU, head of the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Center of the National Technology Initiative.
