In our dedicated Research and Development Centre, we truly understand the working dimensions and installation information relative to every product that we introduce to range.
We have a 3 step plan to help us achieve our goal, to provide a product that is Remanufactured to OE specifications and Plug and Play.
1
Every product that has been developed at Hirsche is documented during remanufacture and a Visual Work Instruction is produced, as the standard production process for our team of engineers.
2
Before any new to range product is introduced into our catalogue, we take sample products to a garage and install them to a vehicle to check working conditions on a vehicle and also to enable us to provide installation guides for the garage technician to follow when installing a product.
3
When we feel that this is a robust product, both in production and installation information, then the part number is created and is added to our range for our network of customers to purchase.
In Research and Development, we are able to study how the product works, communicates and performs.
This is usually achieved by firstly collecting together old core and a brand new OE unit. Then we study the performance of each and gain an understanding of what we need to achieve to provide a high quality aftermarket product.
We gather torque readings as the product is put under load and resistance. We also collect data from the product in a ‘real time’ working environment, with different speeds, city mode or snow and ice conditions.
The research team are able to provide support directly to the installer either via direct communication, on site support and information guides to assist installation and communication.
This knowledge is gained by our research team who will always perform an on-car trial prior to release of a new to range product.
Every vehicle component manufacturer has their own way of protecting their data or making their product bespoke to a vehicle and our job is to understand fully how each products communicates specifically with the vehicle ECU.
In certain circumstances we find that we need to configure the data stored in the Steering ECU to enable it to communicate with the vehicle that it will be installed on.
This is usually due to VIN specific data, engine specific information or Anti-Theft systems where a conflict of data could occur.
We are able to overcome these issues by making a ‘Virgin Data’ file to flash onto the EEprom chip. The vehicle ECU is then able to transfer its own VIN, Engine specific or Anti Theft data, to the replacement product that is provided.
The performance of the remanufactured product is key to the success of the brand.
We are able to study the performance of the product by simulating during test and also during the on-car trials that we do.
We are able to marry the performance information that we gather against the new unit that we purchase. Part of our mission is to provide a product to rival OE and an OE standard performance helps us to achieve this goal.
The research team are involved heavily in on-car trials so that we fully understand the installation information regards diagnostic and mechanical requirements.
With confidence we are able to provide installation guides that are relevant and correct for the garage technician.
There are many components in a steering rack, column or pump that are mechanical, whereby they can create a failure in the product.
In the research stage of development we identify all the mechanical failure points and provide a resolution to the production team, so that they cover these issues 100% of the time during remanufacture.
The production processes are provided by the research team to enable the production team to be uniformed in their approach to remanufacture of a specific product.
Every product in our catalogue has been through the development process and is remanufactured to a strict VWI (Visual Working Instruction) and linked to product specific BOM (Bill Of Materials) list.
The processes are followed 100% of the time and all components that are known failures are replaced 100% of the time, every time.
The research team establish a testing pattern for each individual product.
We call these our ‘recipes’. The recipe for each product is determined as we establish the needs of the vehicle and the working capacities of the steering system.
In the recipe we are able to accommodate for a vehicle that would be performing tight town work or motorway driving.
We also test for products with ASR, VDC and ‘City Mode’ options. The test recipe will establish how the steering will work on the vehicle and with changes in road conditions, speed and braking.
Understanding how the Steering ECU communicates with the vehicle ECU is very important for the successful remanufacture of every steering product.
The research team are able to link the product to the vehicle ECU and establish a line of communication via CANbus, Flexray, K-Line etc… – All linked components of the steering system need to communicate with each other to work efficiently and effectively.
This is determined in the research room so that the correct information can be provided to the remanufacturing team as part of the VWI.
