Benjamin Beckas

I just completed Ford's EV Engineering Advanced on @[Forage](urn:li:organization:68514998). In the simulation I: * Completed a job simulation involving battery testing protocol review for Ford's electrical vehicle (EV) engineering division, identifying and proposing improvements for enhanced efficiency. * Explored battery performance analysis by comparing data from diverse scenarios, including passenger vehicles, electric school buses, and long-haul trucks, providing insights into optimizing battery performance for different use cases. * Built a robot operating system (ROS) package, gaining proficiency in ROS fundamentals, node setup, and understanding the essentials of ROS components. * Examined the integration of ROS components in a practical setting, configuring publishers and subscribers to facilitate seamless communication between various robotics components, showcasing adaptability, and practical knowledge in the context of robotic systems.

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Here is an example of a training exercise in reverse engineering that I do to improve my abilities while using #SolidWorks, #CAD, #DesignEngineering.

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If you are working with laser welding applications in automotive or battery manufacturing contexts the webinar tomorrow should be interesting! Garrett Clyma is going to discuss melt pool modeling to identify and understand defect formation when joining parts such as busbars, battery casings, and hairpins. This will leave you with a good foundation for how simulation fits into process development for laser welding and how you might adopt these techniques to improve your workflow. Link to register: https://lnkd.in/d_swHu-r We will send all registrants the recording and slides in case you aren't able to make it live! #welding #metals #manufacturing

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I just completed Ford's EV Engineering Advanced on @[Forage](urn:li:organization:68514998). In the simulation I: * Completed a job simulation involving battery testing protocol review for Ford's electrical vehicle (EV) engineering division, identifying and proposing improvements for enhanced efficiency. * Explored battery performance analysis by comparing data from diverse scenarios, including passenger vehicles, electric school buses, and long-haul trucks, providing insights into optimizing battery performance for different use cases. * Built a robot operating system (ROS) package, gaining proficiency in ROS fundamentals, node setup, and understanding the essentials of ROS components. * Examined the integration of ROS components in a practical setting, configuring publishers and subscribers to facilitate seamless communication between various robotics components, showcasing adaptability, and practical knowledge in the context of robotic systems.

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Just wrapped up a fun project where I used SolidWorks Simulation to do some fatigue and static analysis on a vehicle suspension system. This was purely for practice, but I learned a ton! 🔍 **What I Did:** I picked a vehicle suspension system to see how it holds up under different conditions. Using SolidWorks Simulation, I ran a couple of analyses: 1. **Static Analysis:** Checked how the suspension handles maximum loading conditions. This helped me spot where the stress points are and where things might break. 2. **Fatigue Analysis:** Looked at how the suspension components would perform over time with repeated loading. This gave me an idea of the system's durability and where it might need design tweaks. 📊 **What I Learned:** - **Stress Points:** The static analysis showed me where the most stress happens, which is super useful for making improvements. - **Durability:** The fatigue analysis helped me understand how long the suspension might last under normal use. 💡 **Why It's Cool:** Suspension systems are key for a smooth and safe ride. By simulating different scenarios, we can predict issues and improve designs before they become real problems. It's all about making cars safer and more reliable! Really happy with how this turned out and can't wait to apply these insights to more projects.🚀 #Engineering #MechanicalEngineering #SolidWorks #Simulation #VehicleDynamics #FEA #FatigueAnalysis #StaticAnalysis #LearningByDoing #Innovation

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After discovering how to use NVH technology to measure sound and vibration in a vehicle, my team and I here at Brigham Young University - Idaho performed an experiment, and had a little fun with it. I am a big fan of car acoustics and sound quality, so of course my mini van has been upgraded with a fancy sound system of my own design. At one point on the journey to upgrading the sound system, I realized that it wouldn't get any better sounding with all the rattles and road noise coming in through the chassis and doors. In trying to solve this problem, I needed to know whether or not traditional sound dampening pads would actually perform as they claim. This is what sparked this experiment to begin! In this experiment, we used an accelerometer attached to the outside of the back hatch of a 2015 Honda Odyssey, with all the plastics removed, and tested a frequency sweep using the subwoofer to measure the vibration emanating through the hatch at various controlled frequencies, with and without sound dampening pads. See the presentation attached to this post to learn more about our findings. (Spoiler alert!) After proving that the sound dampening pads do indeed reduce vibration, I can safely deduce that they will also dampen out sound reverberating both inside and outside the car. Thus, I installed these pads all over the vehicle for a low cost, and now the car drives quieter than ever, and the acoustics are much better! If anyone wants advice on how to do this in their vehicle, feel free to reach out! And who knows, maybe a career in car audio acoustics is in my future? Whatever is ahead, I'm sure it will be a wild ride. 😊 #BYUI

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I've just completed an in-depth look at a Cycloidal Drive Reducer with a 21:1 ratio using SOLIDWORKS. This fascinating piece of engineering offers unique benefits over traditional gear mechanisms, including: ✅ High Efficiency: With minimal backlash and smooth transmission, it maximizes power transfer. ✅ Compact Design: Its compact size allows for versatile application in tight spaces. ✅ Durability: Designed to withstand high shock loads, ensuring longevity and reliability. This is just the beginning of future projects where I'll need a speed reducer with these capabilities. I'll be posting more about these projects soon. To successfully accomplish this project, I utilized the following resources: 🎥 StepbyStep-Robotics - How to Design a Cycloidal Drive for Robot Actuator Module! 🎥 Myron Ho - Gearbox Design IV (Cycloidal Drive 1) 📄 Omar Younis - Building a Cycloidal Drive with SolidWorks tutorial. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this innovative technology. Have you used Cycloid Drives in your projects? Share your experiences in the comments! #CycloidalDrive #SolidWorks #MechanicalDesign #Simulation #Animation #CAD #Robotics #Automation SolidWorks Designer

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Interested in the 3-dimensional control of microstructure and site-specific properties in additively manufactured parts? Check out our fresh of acceptance manuscript in additive manufacturing letters journal (https://lnkd.in/gYE5kaJK). We’ve merged two of my favorite things: triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) lattices and in-situ control in laser powder bed fusion to engineer the microstructure and properties in AM parts. But first, a little insight into the challenging lives of international PhD students. From being away from home, working on low wages, and not being able to support our families in times of need, to rigorous brainstorming sessions to achieve that one breakthrough idea or get an experiment to work for a paper or dissertation – a process that can take months, if not years. Why do we persist? Passion and the sheer joy we experience when an experiment works, even for a fleeting moment, drive us forward. It’s a thrill like no other. In challenging times, a small morale boost can transform a negative mindset into a positive one, reminding us that things will eventually work out. This work has seen its share of blood, sweat, and even a few drops of tears. After two years of dedication, it stands as a testament to the belief that good things come to those who never give up and sometimes know when to stop and share it with the world. To all the PhD students and researchers out there, never lose faith in your ideas. Your breakthrough moment will come when you need it the most. A special thanks to my advisor Dr. Golden Kumar and Dr. Shweta Jagdale for their unwavering support on this journey. Mechanical Engineering at UT Dallas The University of Texas at Dallas #PhDLife #Research #AdditiveManufacturing #AM #Microstructure #TPMS #LaserPowderBedFusion #Engineering #Innovation #NeverGiveUp #PassionForScience #AcademicJourney #InternationalStudents #STEM #Inspiration #LPBF #EBSD #Lattive #EngineeredMicrostructure #UTDallas

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I am proud to announce that I have published a technical paper along with my academic colleagues. This paper explores future passenger vehicle designs and adapted process modeling techniques to facilitate the proper disposal of passenger vehicle propulsion systems. SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT METHODS IN DISPOSING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES AND LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES AMIDST THE FUTURE SHIFT IN PASSENGER VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES Today, many “sustainable” and “green engineering” practices are focused on the specification, design, implementation, and performance of passenger vehicles. An overlooked systems engineering practice is sustainability in product disposal. Coherency between initial designs and planning for the end-of-life disposal of passenger vehicles has not been efficiently developed, for neither combustion nor lithium-ion battery powered vehicles. How sustainable are innovative designs if disposal processes are neglected? With proper systems planning, lithium-ion batteries have a 98% potential recovery rate of precious materials, that can be recycled. As the consumption of lithium-based materials has doubled in the past 8 years, it is essential that a process to benefit both the manufacturer and user is incentivized. #greenengineering #sustainability #sustainableengineering #electricvehicles #combustion #johnshopkinsuniversity #processmodeling #disposal

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School of Mechanical Engineering PSA: Reporting like a Pro! Hey Mech Eng fam! Let's talk about the unsung hero of every project: the REPORT! Ever been told "don't copy and paste" by your supervisor? We've all been there! But here's a tip from the wise: It's not just about the words, it's about the message! Remember that time when a supervisor said "don't copy and paste", and you took it quite literally? Swapping the last word for the first? Genius! But hey, that's not the kind of creativity we're looking for... Let's give our reports the love they deserve! They're not just a checkbox item, they're the story of our hard work, dedication, and innovation! Take the time to craft your own words and ideas – it's where the real learning happens. Your reports shape your understanding and showcase your knowledge. Let's give them the attention they deserve So next time you're crafting that project report, remember: originality, coherence, and clarity are your best buddies! Give it the time and attention it deserves, and watch your ideas shine! #MechEngLife #ReportsMatter #CreativityCounts #FunnyButTrue #ReportWriting #AcademicExcellence #MechanicalEngineering #messageoftheday

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I just completed Ford's EV Engineering Advanced on @[Forage](urn:li:organization:68514998). In the simulation I: * Completed a job simulation involving battery testing protocol review for Ford's electrical vehicle (EV) engineering division, identifying and proposing improvements for enhanced efficiency. * Explored battery performance analysis by comparing data from diverse scenarios, including passenger vehicles, electric school buses, and long-haul trucks, providing insights into optimizing battery performance for different use cases. * Built a robot operating system (ROS) package, gaining proficiency in ROS fundamentals, node setup, and understanding the essentials of ROS components. * Examined the integration of ROS components in a practical setting, configuring publishers and subscribers to facilitate seamless communication between various robotics components, showcasing adaptability, and practical knowledge in the context of robotic systems.

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How Clever Code Upgrades Drive Experience in New F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid    Test data shows improved powertrain smoothness in the 2024 Ford F-150® PowerBoost® hybrid pickup compared to the previous model year. This is thanks to over 300 software enhancements, dialed-in calibration and hundreds of thousands of development test miles. These upgrades enabled the elimination of the belt starter, simplifying the powertrain and providing a refined system solution for our hybrid trucks.    Traditionally, vehicles with internal combustion engines rely on a flywheel starter to spin up the engine, but the first-generation PowerBoost system also added a second starter integrated into the accessory belt drive.  Our team of Ford engineers developed software enhancements that allow the hybrid motor to take on this task, enabling the drive motor to spin up the engine through the transmission. These software upgrades result in a smoother blending of power between the electric hybrid motor and the gasoline engine for a more seamless drive. This improvement follows three years of development and data insights on the 2021 F-150 PowerBoost.     The elimination of the belt starter has resulted in a simplified supply chain, reduced complexity at the assembly facility, and reduced production costs. #WeAreFord

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All traditional car manufacturers are currently focused on making the switch to electric vehicles, and the same is happening in the world’s biggest engineering competition — the Formula Student. Simcenter Amesim 2404 offers a new Formula Student template model to easily and quickly analyze any aspect of the vehicle while taking all important interactions into account. -> Watch the video to learn more! #Automotive #FormulaStudent #Students #Academic #amesim #Simcenter

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A simple but useful new feature. Reducing time to route navigation. #FSD #Autopilot #Tesla https://lnkd.in/gsddT_pU

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