Split-Cycle Technology Finds MicroStation
Modeler a Cost-Effective Engineering Solution
Split-Cycle Technology Limited is a Research and Development company
located on Australia’s Gold Coast. The company’s technology represents a
revolutionary break-through in internal combustion engine design.
Split-Cycle Technology’s three areas of research are:
The Split-Cycle Engine: The engine is
being developed as an alternative to the conventional piston-conrod-crankshaft
configuration of the internal combustion engine. Using a unique combination of geneva
wheels and compression ratios as low as 1.4 to 1, the Split-Cycle Technology engine
delivers high torque values with far greater economy and less environmental impact.
The Pulse Fuel Injector: The Pulse Fuel
Injector is a new type of injector utilizing solenoid control and small amounts of
compressed air to provide atomized fuel for internal combustion engines for far superior
efficiency and economy.
The Jetfan: The unique design of the
Jetfan harnesses the Coanda effect to provide quieter and much more efficient fan systems
for both positive and negative pressure applications.
Split-Cycle Technology first began using computer
design tools for its research in mid-1995, and chose MicroStation for a number of reasons.
The cost of a UNIX workstation, including both the hardware and software, was prohibitive
for a relatively small company like Split-Cycle Technology. MicroStation Modeler’s
ability to operate on a PC platform, yet provide binary compatibility among other
platforms, was important to the company. MicroStation Modeler was originally purchased to
enable the generation of stereolithographic models of the extremely complex curved
surfaces of the Jetfan. However, the company quickly recognized MicroStation
Modeler’s abilities for the precise generation of models for the Split-Cycle
Technology engine and the minute clearances of the Pulse Fuel Injector.
MicroStation MasterPiece is also used to generate
high-quality rendered images and, more importantly, the animation of engine components.
The power shaft of the Split-Cycle Technology engine, although simple in theory, is
extremely difficult to imagine in operation.
Rick Mayne, one of the directors of Split-Cycle Technology
and the inventor of the Split-Cycle engine, believes that he speed and accuracy of
engineering products like MicroStation Modeler are crucial in today's economy. Research
and development, he explains, is very slow and very expensive. In the development of
mechanical applications like those created by Split-Cycle Technology, components are made
individually, and maintaining control of mating components for a particular model of
engine has a very high margin of error. "Compound this high margin of error, "
explains Mayne, "with several models, each slight different from each other, and it
becomes a nightmare."
Mayne believes that the company's choice of
engineering software is a simple matter of economic principles. "If you get the
second best you will always have second best," he explains, "and this applies to
hardware, software, and people." He warns other companies that the savings forecasted
by selecting the right engineering software will not materialize if they choose the wrong
software.
MicroStation Modeler was the right choice for Split-Cycle
Technology. The company is now able to engineer as design and have it "running"
on screen at a fraction of the cost and time of workshop prototyping. According to Mayne,
with the ability to evaluate an idea for a product or component early in the design
process, "only the very best ideas ever get to the workshop lathes and mills."
Split-Cycle Technology has found that MicroStation Modeler
has made an enormous difference in its productivity and efficiency. "The old ways (in
which Split-Cycle Technology designed components) were slow, expensive and had a high risk
factor" said Mayne. "The new ways are faster, cheaper, and have less
risk,." He also explains that MicroStation Modeler has helped Split-Cycle Technology
develop a higher level of professionalism, not only for itself, but also the contractors
and suppliers the company uses. "Our ability to forecast the supply of stock,
materials, components and services well in advance of our needs makes life a lot less
stressful for all," said Mayne.
Mayne believes that the company's choice of
engineering software is a simple matter of economic principles. "If you get the
second best you will always have second best," he explains, "and this applies to
hardware, software, and people." He warns other companies that the savings forecasted
by selecting the right engineering software will not materialize if they choose the wrong
software.