Industries: Transportation

By using a combination of our precise measurement and Multiphysics simulation capabilities, we can accelerate your technical development towards net zero and a greener, more sustainable future. Our services help our clients to continue to develop and innovate emerging Green transportation solutions and also maintaining and increasing efficiencies of existing forms of transportation.

Xi has worked extensively in the transport sector, using our in-depth knowledge to provide efficiency improvements or assist in the development of truly novel transportation systems. Whether it be cars, vans, buses, motorcycles, rail, shipping or aviation, the use of advanced simulation validated against real world data is key in developing the transportation systems of the future.

We can work with you in a number of areas:

  • On-vehicle measurement
  • Data analysis
  • Holistic system modelling or provision of a Vehicle Digital Twins
  • Risk free virtual prototype design space
  • Optimisation of electric motors
  • Novel Battery technology
  • Fuel cells
  • Dynamics/Fatigue/Acoustics emission
  • Thermal management
  • Internal acoustics

We are passionate about things that run quickly, smoothly, and efficiently. Working collaboratively with you and your team, Xi can help accelerate your timelines and reach cost-effective solutions.

Talk to us about your project.

Transportation Specialisms

The light-weight equipment used for space vehicles and satellites must be strong and able to withstand harsh environments and extreme load exposures during launch. These light-weight structures are prone to vibration so consideration to shock and vibration issues is vital when designing these devices.

Think space, think Xi

Xi is an innovative company based in Edinburgh, dedicated to accelerating technical development and solving complex engineering problems. By applying advanced Multiphysics simulation and exacting measurement to validate models, Xi can deliver accurate digital twin models which represent the real world allowing you to test, ‘light weight’, adjust and make your design commercially viable.

Expanding your horizons

From overcoming vehicle launch shock & vibration to light-weighting parts for maximised payloads, to the next generation of cube satellites, or the design of RF antennas for efficient communications in an ever-crowded orbit, Xi can provide support.

Xi Engineering Consultants provide technical, engineering and scientific support through collaboration, accelerating progress through a combination of measurement and computer simulation.  Xi is experienced at working with clients to produce comprehensive digital twins for virtual testing and trials. Simulation is a valuable tool for optimising and quantifying designs and systems destined for flight.

Ready for launch

Our diverse engineering team supports clients by resolving the complex challenges which would otherwise hold up design completion, delivery and, ultimately, launch dates.  Xi’s support will allow clients to focus on their core project.  By working collaboratively, Xi works with client teams to share knowledge, accelerate development time, and reduce risks to projects.

Who do we work with?

We work with clients all over the world including Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and Africa. Our work is often presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed articles. We have won several awards for our work throughout the years and some of our work on electrostatics and acoustics has been published in NASA Tech Briefs.

Xi have both the expertise and experience required to be able to provide dynamic analysis of the problem and a subsequent solution to deal with it.

Marine vessels can require a range of specialist analysis and assessments with experience across all scales from specialist sensors for a lightweight composite hulled racing yacht to vibration analysis for plant equipment on a large service vessel.  However, many of the processes to diagnose and resolve issues remain the same whether the vessel is a luxury yacht or a North Sea supply vessel.

Several unique vibration problems exist within the marine sector, for example, wave interference, hull slap and improved sound propagation through water. These issues are often compounded by the light-weight structures and designs of marine equipment, which are particularly prone to issues of vibration. Specific condition monitoring systems can be of benefit to marine equipment. In very light-weight performance designs, such as composite based racing yachts, strain and vibration sensors can be employed to great effect to report on the structures state and to ensure it is operating within acceptable levels.  Other common issues include excessive noise and vibration from machinery and engines entering crew and public spaces.

Outside the vessels Xi, have developed new methods for calculating and mapping the acoustic output from devices in the marine environment, generating 3D sound maps that take into account seabed bathymetry and seabed type.  These sound maps are a valuable tool for assessing the acoustic output and detectability of vessels, ships and other marine equipment that may affect submarine navigation and environmental impact on marine species.

Whatever your marine vibration issue, at Xi we have both the expertise and experience to provide dynamic analysis of the problem and a subsequent solution to deal with it.

Trains and railway infrastructure are often a subject of discussion regarding their acoustics and vibration performance.

Trains and railway infrastructure are often a subject of discussion regarding their acoustics and vibration performance. It is important that these structures and means of transportation do not have a negative impact on users or the surrounding environments.

Xi can undertake a whole variety of measurement campaigns which can focus on different aspects of the performance. From Whole Body Vibration assessments to understand the vibration effects on humans to more specialized analysis such as acoustic roughness, our engineers are trained to help you overcome all problems encountered. These assessments can be undertaken at all stages of the design or project. From initial stages such as the construction stages to performance assessments of already built sites and locomotives, Xi will assist with on the spot measurements or long term monitoring.

In addition to on-site measurements, our modelling team can also produce computer simulations that can be used to predict behaviour and find optimal solutions to the problem. Therefore, saving the time and resources of our clients.

All vehicles, from cars and vans, to farm and heavy plant machinery, produce vibration and noise.

All vehicles, from cars and vans, to farm and heavy plant machinery, produce vibration and noise. The area of concern differs for each of these and may involve examining how to isolate sensitive equipment when being transported in rough terrain to consideration of the noise impact of changes to a vehicles design.  From routine Whole Body Vibration (WBV) assessments for working vehicles to simulating the aero-acoustic structural interactions of noise or optimisation of audio speakers for internal acoustic performance, Xi have a broad range of tools to assess vehicles and designs.  Using microphones and accelerometers to physically measure noise and vibration and COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate response to solutions allows Xi to efficiently support the development and design of new vehicles or to resolve problems that they may face.

De-risk and streamline your technology by assessing the interface of materials and dynamic movement with Xi.

The lightweight equipment required for flight must be strong and able to withstand harsh environments and extreme load cases.  Such lightweight structures are prone to vibration, so care must be taken in the design of devices for shock and vibration. Managing the resonances associated with these lightweight structures poses a major challenge.

Simulation is a valuable tool for quantifying designs and systems destined for flight. Xi’s engineers attempt to consider all possibilities from traditional stiffening, springs and dampers to active control systems such as Macro Fibre Composite (MFC) piezo actuators.  These are specially formed piezo arrangements that can produce almost double the strain actuation and four times the strain activation density of traditional through plane poled ceramic piezo.  With appropriate control these can be applied to light weight structures to damp and suppress otherwise damaging resonant, and even forced vibration, behaviour.