Technical Investigation & Forensic Engineering
-
Root cause evaluations
-
Solution recommendation / Technical reporting
-
Manage solution implementation
-
Professional Witnessing
A significant amount of the R&D performed by Smith Global requires us to solve complex engineering problems. Our professional engineering skills and experience with innovative design provide us with the tools to accurately identify the root cause of problems with machinery & transport equipment including whether they are being operated correctly and whether the equipment is fit-for-purpose.
Smith Global staff use a range of tools for Technical investigations & Forensic engineering including digital hydraulic pressure & flow meters, electronic strain gauges, string-pots & data capture, Video capture equipment and pneumatic system speed response equipment.
3D CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to ensure the strongest and lightest designs are achieved. FEA is also used to forensically assess products of all descriptions for engineering integrity.
FEA is only reliable if the operator accurately represents the operating conditions i.e. Garbage-in Garbage-out. We have the necessary experience to correctly identify the real-world loads & constraints and apply them correctly to the FEA models.
Finite Element Analysis of Tomato Pallet Carrier
Once we have correctly identified the root cause of the problem, we have the necessary skills to design and manage the implementation of the solution.
If 3rd party advice is required, (for example, metallurgical testing by specialists such as ETRS, or specialist technical advice regarding the operation of complex components), we can source and manage the necessary communication. We can then evaluate the 3rd party advice & use this to formulate a suitable design solution to the problem.
Our Technical reports are clear and concise & are written in plain English with the non-engineer in mind and will consider not only the technical aspects of the problem, but the surrounding logistic and financial aspects of the issue.
Where necessary, we are also able to provide professional witnessing services for technical issues within our scope.
Some examples of Technical investigations we have performed include:
-
Resolution of a long term overheating & jamming problem with a hydraulically operated particle board guillotine.
-
Investigation of safety problems with an infield hook-lift bins becoming detached during operation.
-
Rollover investigations of mining trailers at several mine-sites.
-
Evaluations of equipment to determine compliance (or non-compliance) with WH&S standards.
-
Testing of falls-prevention equipment.
-
Various investigations of structural failures in transport equipment including both fatigue & catastrophic failures.
-
Investigation of telescopic hydraulic cylinder failures in a mine-site application.
-
Investigation of problems with a hydraulically raised roof system in Sri-Lanka
-
Investigations of problems with design & manufacturing quality of Steel-coil transport equipment in India.
-
Resolution of hydraulic cavitation problems in closed loop hydraulic drive systems.