I work at Leyland Trucks, a PACCAR company. We design and build the LF range of trucks on behalf of DAF. My current job is in Driveline Engineering, but before that I used to run the Computer Aided Engineering group.
The CAE team is responsible for making computer models of trucks. This can be either as part of the normal design process, to reduce the reliance on time-consuming and expensive physical testing, or else to improve the durability of products already on the market.
We perform vehicle dynamics simulations, modelling vehicle ride and handling behaviour and predicting loads acting on components. Accurate modelling often depends on good measurements, so we are heavily involved with specifying and processing data collected at the test track using Matlab software.
Our other big area of expertise is in finite element analysis, performing detailed calculations of component durability. The primary concern of truck operators is vehicle running costs so the prevention of premature failures has a very direct influence on sales. We work with designers on prototype parts before introduction, and also to improve the life of components already in service. Good FEA work underpins our multibody dynamic capability - you can only model how a truck drives if you accurately capture its flexibility with a chassis that is modelled well in FE.