A model is being built here of the electrical system in lorries, and the information in the model can subsequently be used to develop diagnostic tools for use by mechanics out in the shops to identify problems are and show how they should be corrected. It speeds repairs, thus reducing downtime. Something that is an important factor for hauliers. Something that is an important factor when purchasing new lorries.
Today’s lorries are complex products with a multitude of interacting systems, and an extra challenge is that there can be many variants of the same model of lorry. Large volumes of documentation are therefore necessary that cover hardware, software, the error codes and parameters, what different symptoms can signify, etc.
This information was previously manually typed into Excel and Word documents, which were then stored in various systems. A few years ago, Volvo decided to make the process more efficient.
Among other things, we wanted to achieve higher reusability of the information as well as make it easier to find relations in our data so as to be able to deliver better information to those who develop troubleshooting methods for our aftermarket operations.
Michael Blackenfelt at Volvo Group Trucks Technology.
They determined that a model-based process would work better than the previous manual processes and therefore obtained the Rodon modelling tool that enables the creation of functional models.
Considerable effort in finding fault cases
With Rodon, all information is gathered in a reusable model. Handling updates and changes is thus much easier than when all information had to be entered each time something was changed. Moreover, it's simpler to create the actual troubleshooting methodology.
A lot of thought is necessary for discovering all the fault cases and describing how troubleshooting is to be conducted for various symptoms. But now that we can model how the system works, we can generate much of the troubleshooting methodology by letting the tool perform the calculations.
Michael Blackenfelt at Volvo Group Trucks Technology.
Working with a model can thus be more efficient, but there is also a disadvantage. To be able to produce the troubleshooting methods, broad expertise is required.
Insight into both the hardware and software is necessary, as well as an understanding of how different components and systems interact; this to be able to see which faults can occur and how they can be remedied. When Volvo implemented modelling, another requirement was added.
Previously, we could put all the engineers on this who had the right expertise, but now they also need to be able to model and it has been a challenge to find those who can. Those who are good at modelling don’t necessarily have the requisite expertise, and those who have the expertise may not want to learn modelling.
Michael Blackenfelt at Volvo Group Trucks Technology.
Start out with someone skilled in modelling
The alternatives are limited to giving those who are already good at modelling the expertise they need, or teaching those with the right expertise to model in Rodon. Both variants work, but the one tends to work better.
My experience is that it's easier to take people who have good skills in modelling and give them the expertise they need, but this can often take some time to achieve. On the whole, however, the transition to using modelling has been positive.
We put in less work in handling updates and changes. It's easy to see the consequences of a change when we can simulate it first and it's even easier making the connections between fault cases and symptoms. Beginning with modelling has definitely been worthwhile.
Michael Blackenfelt at Volvo Group Trucks Technology.
