The product development process for the automotive industry is normally complicated, lengthy, expensive, and risky. Hence, a study on a new concept for Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM), used for niche car models manufacturing, is proposed to overcome this issue. The development of a hybrid Knowledge Based (KB) System, which is a blend of KB System, Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed for LVAM research. The hybrid KB/GAP/AHP System identifies all potential elements of LVAM issues throughout the development of this system. The KB System used in the LVAM analyses the gap between the existing and the benchmark organisations for an effective implementation. The novelty and differences in the current research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge Based (KB) System in the planning and designing stages by suggesting recommendations of LVAM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual LVAM model; b) designing the KBLVAM System structure based on the conceptual LVAM model; and c) embedding Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBLVAM System. The KBLVAM Model explores five major perspectives in two stages. Planning Stage (Stage 1) consists of Manufacturer Environment Perspective (Level 0), LVAM Manufacturer Business Perspective (Level 1), and LVAM Manufacturer Resource Perspective (Level 2). Design Stage (Stage 2) consists of LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Car Body Part Manufacturing Perspective (Level 3), LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Competitive Priorities Perspective (Level 4), and LVAM Manufacturer Capability - Lean Process Optimisation Perspective (Level 5). Each of these perspectives consists of modules and sub-modules that represent specific subjects in the LVAM development. Based on the conceptual LVAM model, all perspectives were transformed into the KBLVAM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, hence, key areas of potential improvement are recommended for each activity for LVAM implementation. In order to be able to address the real situation of LVAM environment, the research verification was conducted for two automotive manufacturers in Malaysia. Some published case studies were also used to check several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBLVAM System provides valuable decision making information and knowledge to assist LVAM practitioners to plan, design and implement LVAM in terms of business organisation, manufacturing aspects and practices.

The purpose of this thesis is to determine if there are any significant abnormal returns arising when companies announces an upcoming rights offering on the Stockholm exchange. The thesis also considers possible reasons as to why the market react in different ways by examining the offerings’ underlying motives. The thesis adopts a quantitative approach, implemented by adeductive strategy. An event study has been used to study the market movements throughout the RO-announcement. The abnormal return is calculated according to the CAR-model which is later tested for its significance. A multiple linear regression is conducted in order to discover relations between the abnormal return and different independent variables. The main frame of theoretical reference is the Signalling Hypothesis as well as the Efficient Market Hypothesis. The study is also inspired by previous research on the subject, all of which are presented in the chapter. These include both recent and older studies on both American, Asian and European markets. Results conclude a significant negative abnormal return during the event window. There is a significant relationship between the underlying motive of the rights offerings and its abnormal return. However, no significant relationship can be stated between the frequency of the rights offering and its abnormal return. Underlying motive and frequency of RO’s explain theabnormal return by 10,11%.

This diploma thesis studies the use of air springs for race car, precisely Formula Student race car. Research part of the thesis deals with choosing suitable air spring for given application. In practical part, there is computation of parameters for appropriate setting of air spring, so it will comply with the rules of Formula Student. There is also simulation of air spring functionality in real use.

The diploma thesis focuses especially on a design of a way for evaluating roughness in road profile, which affects driving characteristics of a car and a ride. In the theoretical part of the thesis are mentioned the most used methods and tools for road roughness analysis in the world. For the purposes of this thesis an experimental measuring were undertaken in order to obtain data for the own design of a road profile analysing system.

Tyre wear is a vital problem in vehicles, especially in articulated vehicles because of their heavier axle loads. Tyre wear can not only do harm to vehicle dynamics but also cause tyre particle emissions. Therefore, solutions that can minimise tyre wear are where this thesis work focuses. The suspension design is one of the main factors affecting tyre wear. This thesis considers different kinds of semi-active (such as ADD, SH-2 and GH-2) and active suspensions (\(H_\infty\) control) and compares them with a passive suspension with regards to tyre wear. Driving comfort and road holding are considered as well. The simulation starts by running a IPG/TruckMaker model on a route introducing a certain road roughness profile, and outputs lateral slip angles, which together with vehicle parameters and route data are input into a Simulink model. Then, based on the static vertical load on each axles of the articulated vehicle, three different quarter car models corresponding to the axles with various suspension systems are built in Simulink. Simulation results show that the active suspension (\(H_\infty\) control approach) works best in minimising tyre wear, reducing tyre wear by 1-10\% compared to the passive suspension when the vehicle is driving on road profile Class C (country road). Meanwhile, several control strategies of \(H_\infty\) control are applied in order to result in overall good vehicle performance considering comfort and road holding. Semi-active suspensions also work well in reducing tyre wear, but the amount of tyre wear reduction is lower than that of the \(H_\infty\) controllers. / Däckslitage är ett viktigt problem för fordon, särskilt för tunga ledade fordon på grund av deras högre axellaster. Däckets slitage påverkar inte bara fordonets dynamik utan orsakar också utsläpp av däckpartiklar. Olika lösningar behöver utvecklas som kan minimera däckslitage och det är fokus för detta examensarbete. Hjulupphängningens konstruktion är en viktig faktor som påverkar däckslitaget. Detta arbete studerar olika typer av semiaktiva (såsom ADD, SH-2 och GH-2) och aktiva fjädringssystem (\(H_\infty\) reglering) och jämför dem med ett passivt fjädringssystem när det gäller däckslitage, samtidigt som även körkomfort och väghållning beaktas. Simuleringarna inleds med att en IPG/TruckMaker fordonsmodell kör längs en sträcka med en viss typ av vägojämnhet. Simuleringarna resulterar i avdriftsvinklar för fordonet som tillsammans med fordonsparametrar och ruttinformation skapar indata till en Simulink-modell. Därefter, baserat på den statiska vertikala belastningen på varje axel i det ledade fordonet, skapas tre olika kvartsbilsmodeller i Simulink som motsvarar axlarna med deras olika hjulupphängningssystem.Simuleringsresultaten visar att den aktiva fjädringen (\(H_\infty\)) fungerar bäst när det gäller att minimera däckslitage, där slitaget minskar med 1-10\% jämfört med den passiva fjädringen när fordonet kör på vägprofil klass C (landsväg). Samtidigt tillämpas flera olika \(H_\infty\) reglerstrategier för att åstadkomma överlag goda fordonsprestanda även med avseende på komfort och väghållning. Semiaktiva fjädringssystem fungerar också bra för att minska däckslitaget, men minskningen av slitaget är lägre än den för den aktiva \(H_\infty\) fjädringen.

The product development process for the automotive industry is normally complicated, lengthy, expensive, and risky. Hence, a study on a new concept for Low Volume Automotive Manufacturing (LVAM), used for niche car models manufacturing, is proposed to overcome this issue. The development of a hybrid Knowledge Based (KB) System, which is a blend of KB System, Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP), and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed for LVAM research. The hybrid KB/GAP/AHP System identifies all potential elements of LVAM issues throughout the development of this system. The KB System used in the LVAM analyses the gap between the existing and the benchmark organisations for an effective implementation. The novelty and differences in the current research approach emphasises the use of Knowledge Based (KB) System in the planning and designing stages by suggesting recommendations of LVAM implementation, through: a) developing the conceptual LVAM model; b) designing the KBLVAM System structure based on the conceptual LVAM model; and c) embedding Gauging Absences of Pre-requisites (GAP) analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach in the hybrid KBLVAM System. The KBLVAM Model explores five major perspectives in two stages. Planning Stage (Stage 1) consists of Manufacturer Environment Perspective (Level 0), LVAM Manufacturer Business Perspective (Level 1), and LVAM Manufacturer Resource Perspective (Level 2). Design Stage (Stage 2) consists of LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Car Body Part Manufacturing Perspective (Level 3), LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Competitive Priorities Perspective (Level 4), and LVAM Manufacturer Capability ¿ Lean Process Optimisation Perspective (Level 5). Each of these perspectives consists of modules and sub-modules that represent specific subjects in the LVAM development. Based on the conceptual LVAM model, all perspectives were transformed into the KBLVAM System structure, which is embedded with the GAP and AHP techniques, hence, key areas of potential improvement are recommended for each activity for LVAM implementation. In order to be able to address the real situation of LVAM environment, the research verification was conducted for two automotive manufacturers in Malaysia. Some published case studies were also used to check several modules for their validity and reliability. This research concludes that the developed KBLVAM System provides valuable decision making information and knowledge to assist LVAM practitioners to plan, design and implement LVAM in terms of business organisation, manufacturing aspects and practices. / Universiti Malaysia Pahang and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia

The master thesis deals with design, manufacturing and testing of a prototype magnetorheological damper developed for Formula Student vehicle. The aim was to design and test the damper with similar damping properties to the vehicle as a conventional damper has. Target force-velocity curves were set using quarter car model and evaluated comparing minimal contact force of a tyre for conventional and newly developed damper characteristics. Structural analysis of designed parts, hydraulic and static magnetic analysis were performed. Manufacturing of a specific part magnetorheological damper part was described – piston. Manufactured prototype damper characteristics were evaluated.

The object of this master thesis is testing of vehicle using four post rig. The main goal is to make a research about testing and tuning vehicle characteristics on four post rig in order to implement them for testing of TU Brno Racing’s Formula Student racecar. The main method of testing, input signals and measurement description are presented in this thesis. The different methods of analysis of testing data to find best tuning of damper and spring stiffness for different race disciplines are described. In the last part of this work, quarter car model and multibody model in MSC Adams Car is created. Input parameters of model are based on measurements from real car/ component testing, including damper characteristics and static tire radial stiffness for best fit with the characteristics of real vehicle. The measurements themselves were also described in separate chapter of this thesis. The last but not the least goal was to compare these simulations with measurements, made od real four post rig in order to decide whether car model is suitable for racecar development.

This thesis deals by the design of 1/4 car model for testing vehicle dampers, which can be used to simulate the real suspension of a vehicle wheel (up to a maximum car weight of 1,970 kg) and the so-called linear wheel suspension. A linear mathematical 1/4 car model with 2 DOF (Degrees Of Freedom) and data from literature search are used to design and derive the basic parameters of the device. The thesis contains a description of the linear mathematical model and its outputs (acceleration of the sprung mass and forces acting on the sprung mass), description of designed device, descriptions of created simulations (static, modal and harmonic analysis in ANSYS Workbench 2020 R2) and conceptual design of the modifications this device for another possible use for testing of bicycles.

In this thesis, the feasibility to integrate an brake disc and electric machine is investigated. In wheel motors (IWMs) have several advantages, such as saving space in the vehicle, individual and direct control at the wheels and the absence of a mechanical transmission. However, today’s IWMs are heavy and, thus, negatively affect the driving performance of the vehicle due to the increase of the unsprung mass. By integrating an already existing part in the wheel, this increase of the unsprung mass can be minimized. The brake disc manages high temperatures, a significant wear in rough environ-ment, which puts high demands on the rotor. The second part of the machine, the stator, will be significantly affected by the high temperatures of the rotor. The temperatures of the stator are transferred by convection, conduction and radiation from the rotor or brake disc. Liquid cooling of the stator back is analyzed as a potential solution for handling the high temperatures. In order to analyze the feasibility of the concept, thermal, electric and mechanical modelling has been used. The evaluation whether it is possible or not to integrate the brake disc has been with regard to the results of weight, cost, thermal tolerance and electric performance. / I detta arbete undersöks möjligheten att integrera en bromsskiva med elmaskin. Hjul-motorer har flera fördelar, bland annat sparas utrymme i själva bilen, individuell kontroll samt drivning av hjulen utan mekaniska transmissioner. Men hjulmotorer som kan användas idag väger oftast så pass mycket att den odämpade massan ökar kritiskt och köregenskaper av fordonet då blir lidande. Genom att integrera en befintlig del i hjulet kan ¨okningen av odämpade massan minskas. Att använda bromsskivan som rotor, kräver att denna tål temperaturer ¨over 500◦C samt påfrestningar och slitage som en vanlig mekanisk friktionsbroms måste uthärda. Den andra delen av maskinen, statorn kommer även denna att påverkas av de höga temperaturerna av bromsskivan som kommer ledas via konvektion, konduktion och strålning. Möjligheten att kyla statorn med vätska och om detta är tillräckligt undersöks. För att analyserna genomförbarheten av projektet har termiska, elektriska och mekaniska modeller använts. Resultaten har analyserats där maskinens vikt, kostnad, termisk tålighet och elektrisk prestanda har legat till grund för bedömningen om lösningen; att integrera en broms-skiva med elmaskin är rimlig eller ej.