Technological innovation in the field of automotive diesel engines

The paper presents a short history of automotive diesel development and then discusses the generalized benefits of the recent deployment of computer aided design (CAD) techniques. Four short case histories are presented demonstrating particular product benefits achieved using theoretical stress analysis, digital simulation techniques, analog simulation and finite element stress analysis. The progressive development of diesel engine technology is considered in three chronological phases, namely “test,” “instrumentation,” and “analysis.” The effect of each operating mode upon complementary organizational structures is discussed briefly, and the structure preferred by the writer's company during the contemporary “analysis” mode is presented in some detail.