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2 0 1 0 DESIGN DEVELOP BUILD RACE WIN 13412 Book.indd 1 4/27/11 2:10 PM P R A T T & MILLER ENGINEERING 2010 BUILT OUT OF PASSION WE’VE WEATHERED THE STORM AND COME OUT STRONGER It has been a difficult couple of years in our industry, but we have weathered the storm. And now that we’re through the dark days, all the good things we hoped would happen are happening. It’s all thanks to the hard work, focus, expertise, and some sacrifice, on the part of our employees. Our biggest customer, GM, kept us with them through the bankruptcy, and that decision wasn’t because we were the low-cost provider. It was because we were – and are – the best. Now, GM is showing their confidence in us with the new Cadillac CTS-V race car program, and increasing activities in all the areas where we’ve been involved in the past. We’ve been doing extremely innovative work that has caught the attention of some very sophisticated customers, who have been pleased and excited about what we accomplished for them. As a result, the engineering services business has grown dramatically, including areas like robotics and autonomous vehicle controllers – projects that are right out there on the leading edge of the world’s emerging technologies. That’s what we always hoped our efforts would accomplish. It’s also interesting how our roots in motorsport affect the perceptions of customers and prospective employees. Do they think it’s a frivolous activity, just done as a hobby, that could never mean anything significant for them? In reality, the exact opposite is true. When they see what we’ve done, the sophistication of our equipment and facilities, and we explain the science we use to make our motorsports programs successful, they’re wowed. The excitement of it all makes a very good blend. When they – both customers and prospective employees – understand the level of the science we’re engaged in, and our commitment to it, they stick around. We have attracted very good people to work here, and we want to thank all our people for what they did through the uncertain times. We made a decision not to reduce our staff, even though we were facing significant cutbacks from some of our biggest customers; we just thought is was the right thing to do, for our people and our business. Almost everybody took some form of a pay cut in order to rationalize that strategy, and we credit everyone for their willingness to accept unwelcome reality, all the while continuing to exceed the expectations of our customers. Now we’re seeing growth in areas we’ve been commercializing, like our software. Our racing-evolved Vehicle Engineering System is now in use by major car companies for their production-vehicle development. That’s just one of a number of areas, but it’s indicative of the quality and value that others see in what we do. All of us can be proud of the success we are achieving. Jim Miller and Gary Pratt CONTENTS 28 Corvid Technologies 44 Customer Teams 31 Corvette Racing 2010 44 Phoenix Racing 3 Creating Innovation 32 Sebring Storm 45 DKR Engineering, Luc Alphand 4 Engineering Services 33 California Dreamin’ 46 Rudolph Racing, Selleslagh Racing 10 Manufacturing 34 Le Mans: On a Mission 47 Grand-Am Racing Teams 16 Computer-Aided Design 36 The Long March 48 For Those Who Serve 18 Software Solutions 38 Grand Finale 50 From the Edior 20 Collector Car Restoration 40 Teamwork 51 Pratt & Miller Employees 22 Embedded Systems and Electrical Production 41 Thanks, Johnny O 23 Quality Assurance 42 Sponsors and Partners 24 Motorsports Engineering 43 2010 Team 2 13412 Book.indd 2 4/27/11 2:10 PM DESIGN. DEVELOP. BUILD. RACE. W I N . PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING Creating Innovation Pratt & Miller Engineering is steeped in the dynamic, urgent culture of auto “It’s our biggest advantage and selling point,” says Doug Louth, the company’s racing. It was the company’s reason for being when Jim Miller and Gary Pratt motorsports engineering director. “We’re using and developing leading-edge tools formed the company in 1989; now it’s a way of life that’s as natural as breathing. and processes – the most advanced engineering in the industry, with world-leading Success in racing requires a no-excuses, can-do attitude that demands results. expertise in vehicle simulation. We’re at the same level as the world’s biggest The race won’t wait if you’re not ready. If there’s a problem, solve it, now. And that corporations, but with the fastest cycle times thanks to our racing DNA.” breeds innovation. Pratt & Miller can take projects every step of the way from concept to production That is an ethos that serves them well in whatever engineering project the with the experience, skills, pride and passion to deliver a successful result. company undertakes, whether it’s an entirely new concept for an ultra-efficient production vehicle, development of a navy missile system, or robotic systems for military or surgical applications. Any and all are tackled with the same intensity and efficiency, and with the capability for remarkably quick turnaround times using methods and practices developed in the crucible of auto racing. 3 13412 Book.indd 3 4/27/11 2:10 PM P R A T T & MILLER ENGINEERING 2010 ENGINEERING SERVICES Aptera 2e Development X PRIZE FINALIST Pratt & Miller’s continuing work with Aptera Motors includes refining the body Final results, validated by Argonne National Laboratories, put structure, modeling and testing. In 2010, Pratt & Miller supported Aptera’s entry Aptera fifth overall and fourth in the fuel economy test with weighted in the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition to achieve over average fuel economy of 194.3 MPGe. That’s real-world efficiency 100 MPGe (equivalent miles per gallon) in a production-capable vehicle. This more than 6 times higher than the current CAFÉ standard. The support included competition strategy, logistics and transport, and a full-time Aptera 2e also demonstrated a range greater than 100 miles by race engineer, who was assigned to the team to assist with vehicle development, driving that distance at speed with some battery reserve remaining data acquisition and telemetry. Preparation work involved analyzing problems at the end. Other performance data from the competition included and creating solutions, operating just like a race team. It included manufacturing a speed of 47 mph in the double lane change avoidance maneuver, removable composite body panels, suspension and handling optimization, weight and lateral acceleration of 0.87g on the 300-ft. skid pad, both SERVICES reduction, wind tunnel testing, and an engine oiling system redesign. recorded under the extreme scrutiny of the test team for Consumer More than 111 teams entered the competition, and preliminary events reduced Reports/Consumer’s Union at Michigan International Speedway the field to 12 finalists, including the Aptera, which was arguably the most as part of the X Prize Competition. production-representative vehicle in the group. ENGINEERING 4 13412 Book.indd 4 4/27/11 2:11 PM DESIGN. DEVELOP. BUILD. RACE. W I N . Cadillac V-Series Performance Lab TECHNICAL EXPERTISE APPLIED APPLIED Cadillac marketing developed the CTS-V Performance Lab, a tour of six stops Elements of the program focused the cars’ dynamic performance, including the at prestigious venues around the country, primarily for the launch of its new CTS-V 556-hp, supercharged V8 engine, Brembo brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, and Coupe. The CTS family of vehicles was utilized to reinforce messages taught in a also on their “smart” systems, such as electronic stability control and the adaptive classroom setting to introduce prospective customers, and educate some dealers suspension’s magnetic rheological dampers. Making sure that these sophisticated as well as regional salespeople, to the technical attributes and performance sub-systems were working properly in concert and presented in an attractive manner capabilities of the V-Series. required a thorough knowledge and understanding of how the systems function ENGINEERING Pratt & Miller provided technical support for this program, both in preparing and and interact. Cadillac chose Pratt & Miller because of their level of knowledge maintaining the 50 cars on the tour, as well as interacting with participants to answer and experience with these types of state-of-the-art technologies. questions about technical aspects of these highly advanced vehicles. Pratt & Miller The goal was to ensure that the participants’ experiences with the cars were personnel at the events included an on-site manager, electrical diagnosis technicians, always premium and flawless. Over the course of the tour more than 3,000 and several racing technicians. Pratt & Miller also provided a previous-generation prospective V-Series buyers received just that. SERVICES CTS-V race car for display. 5 13412 Book.indd 5 4/27/11 2:11 PM P R A T T & MILLER ENGINEERING 2010 ENGINEERING SERVICES Military Applications SUPERIOR EQUIPMENT AND SPEED Pratt & Miller is working with the US Army’s research and development organizations on manned and unmanned ground and combat support systems. These groups recognize the potential for tapping Pratt & Miller’s expertise in racing-related technologies, and applying it to military vehicles. They are particularly interested in Pratt & Miller’s capabilities, ingrained in the racing culture, for development time compression and speed of execution. The goal is to apply the latest and best technologies to providing – as quickly as possible – superior equipment for the armed forces. SERVICES ENGINEERING 6 13412 Book.indd 6 4/27/11 2:11 PM DESIGN.S I G N .