Freightliner M2 Business Class wiper-system redesign.
Complete redesign and release of the Freightliner M2 Business Class wiper module after Trico Products assumed the program from Visteon under compressed timing.
From inherited package to Trico production design
Trico assumed the Freightliner M2 Business Class wiper program from Visteon under compressed timing. Visteon supplied drawings and some computer-aided design (CAD) data, but the inherited package still had to be converted into a complete Trico production design using Trico components, standards, interfaces, and manufacturing practices.
I owned the complete wiper-module engineering, with motor-design support from Trico's internal motor-engineering team. The production system was fully my design, even though the vehicle package and required wipe pattern naturally constrained the Trico system to a layout broadly similar to the outgoing supplier's concept.
Complete wiper-module engineering and release
I redesigned and released the complete Freightliner M2 wiper module as a Trico production system. I retained the vehicle package and wipe-pattern requirements, then re-engineered the system around Trico components, dimensions, standards, and production methods.
Major redesign content
- Trico wiper-motor integration.
- New unitizing-tube and center-bracket design.
- Trico-compatible outboard pivot castings.
- Trico-standard pivot bearings.
- Trico-standard pivot shafts.
- New wiper-arm assemblies.
- New wiper-blade assemblies.
- Vehicle packaging.
- Complete system kinematics.
- Computer-aided design direction.
- Production drawings and release.
A first full system under primary responsibility
This was my first wiper program with primary responsibility for nearly all engineering decisions. The challenge was not only learning a new product domain, but completing the full system redesign in four weeks while establishing a production-ready Trico design.
Design Verification testing completed before reassignment
The system and component redesign, release, initial prototype build, and Design Verification testing were completed before I transferred to the General Motors onsite assignment. I wanted to remain with the program through launch, but I was reassigned to the General Motors Technical Center in July 2000. I transferred the completed design to another Trico engineer, who carried the program through the remaining validation and production-launch activities. The design that entered production was my completed Trico design.
Production-ready system completed before reassignment
- Complete system redesign accomplished in four weeks.
- Full Trico production design completed by June 2000.
- Previous supplier package converted into a production-ready Trico wiper system.
- Initial prototype build and Design Verification testing completed before the assignment transfer.
- Packaging and kinematics independently verified.
- Completed design transferred for remaining validation and launch execution.
- The design entered production.
- No major design or launch problems are known.
- Approximately 35,000 vehicles annually on average.
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