Hyderabad: Specialised automotive laboratory launched at Mahindra Ecole Centrale

Hyderabad: Mahindra Ecole Centrale, an international engineering college, based at Hyderabad announces the setting up of a Specialised Automotive Systems & internal Combustion Engine (AIC) Laboratory at its campus. This lab aims to introduce undergraduate students to the working of various automobile and its power train, the IC Engine.

"At MEC, our emphasis is to provide an enabling atmosphere to our young students and provide an atmosphere where they can learn by doing as well as undertake research in relevant areas. Our AIC laboratory is well equipped to handle cutting edge research initiatives and we hope that it will help our engineering students to immerse themselves in the latest equipment and technologies and come up with innovative solutions to current day auto issues", says Dr. Yajulu Medury, Director, Mahindra Ecole Centrale. It is expected that live R&D projects jointly in handshaking mode with leading auto industries will also take place in coming years here.

Starting from a ready-to-drive automobile, down to its various sub-systems and components, this facility will have the entire gamut of automotive and IC engine related equipment. Cut-sections of the entire drive-train from the engine to the transmission and axles (including differential) will enable visualization of the various sub-systems and their internal components and devices. These cut-sections are also motored to present the drive-train in operation. A vehicle inspection pit is also planned.

Performance testing of IC Engines will be the other major focus of this lab. Separate equipment for functional multi-cylinder Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) engines, with dynamometer loading, and essential add-ons for data acquisition, and fuel & emissions characterization are also planned. Each of these engines will have its own test bed in a separate anechoic chamber that ensures safety and sound-proofing. These test beds can be used to study engine performance in the form of torque and power curves, emissions and specific fuel consumption. A single cylinder, variable compression ratio, multi-fuel engine is also planned, that can be used to study the performance of both liquid and gaseous fuels, as well as bio-fuel blends.

The lab will have high-end equipment that would include Ready-to-drive 25 tonnes HCV, 6 tonnes LCV chassis and engine aggregates, Aggregates such as Power Train (Chassis, Engine, Transmission, Axles, Tyres) with cut sections (and motorized for demo), Brakes, Cooling System, Steering, After Treatment Systems etc., with cut sections, 4 or 6 cylinder SI (gasoline) and CI (Diesel) engines with dynamometer, Single cylinder multi-fuel variable compression ratio research engine and Fuel Characterization and Emissions Measurement Facilities.