DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Company presented researchers, engineers and scientists with the automaker’s highest level of technical achievement, the Henry Ford Technology Award (HFTA), for their work on innovative automotive technologies.

Technologies typically recognized fall into the categories of manufacturing, research and product development. A limited number of awards are given annually.

RESEARCH

For the development of the FOX Engine Family
The FOX engine modularly combines innovative technologies to an affordable high-volume engine.  These technologies can be tailored to various applications for future local market requirements.  FOX enable to meet EU2012+ fleet CO2 regulations.

•  Andreas Schamel, Chief Engineer, Powertrain Research
•  Albert Breuer, Research and Advanced Engineering    
•  Richard Fritsche, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Ingo Lenz, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Urban Morawitz, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Stefan Quiring, Research and Advanced Engineering

For the development and integration of Virtual Design and Optimization of Global Diesel Aftertreatment Systems
This is an industry first, innovative and detailed computer simulation toolset that consists of several diesel aftertreatment mathematical models, which are used for predicting complete system emissions performance covering multiple emission test cycles.

•  Harendra Gandhi, Technical Fellow and Director, Chemical Engineering
•  Mario Balenovic, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Jan Harmsen, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Santhoji Katare, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Jeong Kim, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Elmar Riesmeier, Research and Advanced Engineering  

For the development of Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection
Collision Warning with Full Auto Break and Pedestrian Detection is a world –first active safety feature that can warn the driver and apply full autonomous braking in order to avoid/mitigate an accident.

•  Paul Welander, Vice President Engineering
•  Jessica Bigas, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Erik Coelingh, Volvo Car Company
•  Andreas Eidehall, Volvo Car Company
•  Martin Magnusson, Volvo Car Company
•  Rune Solem, Volvo Car Company 

MANUFACTURING

For the development and implementation of Compatible Fluids Closed-Loop Strategy – PTO Manufacturing
This project is concerned with the use of compatible oil based fluids in Powertrain machining manufacturing.  The implementation of the innovative strategy changed an uncontrolled process to a low cost and environmentally sound closed-loop solution.

•  Werner Harbers, Director, Manufacturing PTO
•  David Allen, Manufacturing PTO      
•  Margaret Beever, Manufacturing PTO     
•  Stuart Burn, Manufacturing PTO
•  Paul Kirk, Manufacturing PTO
•  Ian Moore, BP Castrol

For the development of the Optical Gage for Flatness & Waviness Measurements
Addressing a strong Powertrain want, novel holography optical gage technology for flatness and waviness measurement has been developed.  It provides high definition topographic data for complete surfaces, with sub micron resolution and very fast cycle time.

•  Kevin Bicking, Director, Manufacturing PTO
•  Youssef Hamidieh, Manufacturing PTO                                                                                
•  Chandra Jalluri, Manufacturing PTO
•  Ghazi Rayes, Manufacturing PTO
•  Michael Mater, Coherix, Inc.

For the development of the Universal Radiofrequency Tool – Popp Hose Clamps
Hand Tool that sends a confirmation by radiofrequency that the operator has released the hose clamp.  This confirmation is done at the same time that the operator makes the action.  If there is no confirmation the production line stops.

•  Tony Ades, Manager, Vehicle Operations
•  Antonio Anton Riera, Ford of Spain       
•  Fernando Lafuente Felices, Ford of Spain
•  Enrique Monlleo Palmer, Ford of Spain

For the development of Hypoid Axle Noise Reduction by Pinion Top-Land Radius Using Common Chamfer Tool
To avoid axle noise caused by pinion nick/chipping, the pinion topland should be chamfered.  The conventional chamfer tool is specific to pinion geometry for each ratio.  This innovation uses common tools to create pinion topland radius of multiple ratios.

•  Kim Pittel, Director, Transmission/DL Engineering
•  Paul Bojanowski, Sterling Plant       
•  Chunliang Hsiao, TDE
•  Stefano Lombardo, TDE

For the development and implementation of the Ignition Test for Coil on Plug with Integrated Driver
The technology manipulates high frequency signals that are normally dismissed as nuisances in the voltage supply to the coil, to gain information about the quality of the ignition event.

•  Kevin Bicking, Director, Manufacturing PTO
•  David Chesney, Manufacturing PTO      
•  Harry Kekedjian, Manufacturing PTO

For the development and implementation of Inserted Draw Die Technology
The Inserted Draw Die Technology is a suite of innovative processes and tools for the design and construction of draw dies for stamping uncoated High-Strength Steels.  It enables significant variable cost savings, lower die cost, and great die life.James

•  James Morgan, Director, Troy Design and Manufacturing
•  Stephen Kernosky, Vehicle Operations 
•  Feng Ren, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Zhiyong Cedric Xia, Research and Advanced Engineering
•  Darryl Young, Stamping Engineering

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

For the development and implementation of Active Park Assist
Active Park Assist is the BIC intuitive automated parking system technology that by the push of a button detects an available parallel parking space and automatically steers the vehicle into the parking space without touching the steering wheel.

•  Ali Jammoul, Chief Engineer, Chassis
•  Erick Lavoie, Product Development - Chassis     
•  Kay Müller,Product Development - EESE
•  Nate Rolfes, Product Development - Chassis
•  Steve Sundberg, Product Development - EESE
•  Salvador Toledo, Product Development - Chassis

For the development and implementation of the Ford Focus RS 2009 RevoKnuckle Front Suspension
The "RevoKnuckle" front suspension used in the 2009 Ford Focus RS is a unique front suspension, which allows a sporty super high torque engine on a front driven vehicle combined with a limit slip differential.  It is the main enabler for the RS program.

• Franz Laermann,Executive Director, Engineering
• Michael Frantzen, Research and Advanced Engineering    
• Thomas Gerhards, Research and Advanced Engineering
• David Put, Product Development – Vehicle Development     
• Marc Simon, Research and Advanced Engineering
• Stephan Weykam, Product Development - Chassis

For the development and implementation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide
SmartGauge is an Industry leading Instrument Cluster designed specifically for the 2010MY Fusion/Milan HEVs.  The Cluster provides valuable fuel efficiency coaching that can be customized by the driver based on their level of interest.

• Nancy Gioia,Director, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Les Bodnar, EESE         
• Jeff Greenberg, Research and Advanced Engineering    
• Sonya Nematollahi, EESE     
• Angela Watson, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• David Watson, Research and Advanced Engineering

For the development of the Ford In-house Hybrid Battery Control Software Using Model Based Development
First Ford in-House development of battery control software. First Ford utilization of Model-Based Development and auto generated code in a production module (Battery Energy Control Module).

• Nancy Gioia,Director, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Dyche Anderson, Research and Advanced Engineering    
• Xiaoguang Chang, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Ai Keramidas, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Michael Schamber, Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Kevin Vander Laan, Sustainable Mobility Technology

For the design and development of the PowerSplit Ratiometric Fuel Compensation for the Gen 1.5 & 2 HEV Propulsion System
This innovation precisely adjusts fueling for each cylinder event, based on torque ratio calculations using feedback from the hybrid power-split transmission.

• Julie McCoy, Chief Engineer, PTAE
• Erik Andersen, PTA         
• Edward Badillo, Research and Advanced Engineering
• Douglas Martin, Sustainable Mobility Technology       
• Kenneth Miller, Sustainable Mobility Technology
  

For the development and implementation of Transmission System Characterization (TSC)
TSC innovation has allowed Ford to eliminate Transmission Control Unit from 6 speed automatic transmissions and integrate transmission controls into the vehicle's PCM.  This provides Ford with a competitive cost advantage of $40 - $50 ($669M until 2015).

• Tom Tremont, Director, Americas IT
• Michelle Grytzelius, Product Development – PTO      
• Kurt Nickerson, Product Development – PTO
• Mahendra Patil, Information Technology
• Joe Ulakovich, Information Technology
• Bruce Palansky, Getrag
  
  

PRESIDENT'S TECHNOLOGY

For the development and execution ofSYNC v1 Cross-Functional Product
SYNC was the first product to seamlessly merge automotive, computing, and consumer electronics technologies.  SYNC created a disruptive competitive advantage by making advanced connectivity technology more affordable and available than ever before.

• Jim Buczkowski, Director, E/E Systems Engineering
• EESE         
• Information Technology      
• Research and Advanced Engineering
• Vehicle Operations        

Microsoft

For the development and implementation of 2010MY Fusion/Milan Hybrid
This application covers the 2010 MY Fusion/Milan Hybrid and the myriad of technologies that were delivered on the program as company and/or industry firsts.

• Nancy Gioia, SMT
• Climate Control       
• EESE         
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Research and Advanced Engineering
• Sustainable Mobility Technology
• Vehicle Engineering
  

For the development and implementation of Focus RS
The Focus RS, with 305 PS, 440 Nm, and the innovative REVO Knuckle suspension has enabled Ford to redefine the limits for front wheel drive cars, gain enthusiastic media coverage, and further cement Ford's reputation for leadership in vehicle dynamics.

• Franz Laermann, Executive Director, Engineering
• Design         
• Powertrain        
• Research and Advanced Engineering    
• Saarlouis Vehicle Operations 
• TeamRS
• Vehicle Integration
• Vehicle Operations