Skip to content

Select your region & language

Global

Region

Angle axis signal measurement software ExAngle

ExAngle, a new angular axis signal measurement software, represents a complete overhaul of the concept behind the combustion analysis equipment we've been selling for many years. This time, we spoke with the planning and development team and the sales representative primarily responsible for ExAngle's sales to hear about the thoughts behind this significant shift in direction.

  • Sales Headquarters, Marketing Block, Measurement Products Group, Section Chief, Uehara
    Sales Division, Marketing Block
    Measurement Products Group, Section Chief, Uehara
  • Software Technology Lab Leader, Ikeda
    Software Technology Lab Leader, Ikeda
  • Sales Division, Sales Management Block, Chubu Sales Office, Sales Section Manager: Shimizu
    Sales Division, Sales Management Block
    Shimizu, Sales Manager, Chubu Sales Office

The decision to drop the "dedicated" sign for combustion analysis.

What kind of product is ExAngle?

Ikeda

This product is a successor to its predecessor, a combustion analysis instrument, and is a system that can contribute to the measurement of various rotating bodies. Combustion analysis is a method for evaluating the performance of engines that have a mechanism that generates power through the reciprocating motion of a piston, mainly known as a reciprocating engine. By understanding the combustion state of the engine through combustion analysis, it is possible to make improvements. It is used in a wide range of fields, including automobiles, motorcycles, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, power generation equipment, and ships.

So, you've completely revamped the concept from its predecessor, a dedicated combustion analysis device.

Ikeda

That's right. The products we've sold up until now were "dedicated" combustion analysis equipment, but with this product, we've dropped that label and made it a general-purpose measuring instrument that can be used for any rotating body, not just engines. We've also incorporated the combustion analysis functions that we've accumulated over many years, after reorganizing them, but it's just one of the product's functions and not the sole focus. By developing it with this concept in mind, its applications have expanded to areas other than engines, such as development sites and basic research areas that perform behavioral analysis of high-speed rotating objects.

What were the reasons behind this change in direction?

Uehara

When we were considering development, the world changed dramatically when the Japanese government declared its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The automotive industry was hit by a wave of electrification, and combustion analysis, which primarily targeted engines, was facing headwinds. However, there was also the idea that there were many challenges to overcome in order to achieve electrification, and that it wouldn't be easy to move away from engines. In this context, we had a discussion with the development team to reconsider what was needed in our customers' development environments and what we needed to do.

Ikeda

After further consideration, we decided that we wanted to develop a product that would allow for more efficient and easier combustion analysis for customers who need to focus on electrification while simultaneously continuing engine development. At the same time, we thought it would be good to have a product that could be effectively utilized as other systems even if engines were to disappear in the future, and in order to achieve this, we decided to drop the main label of being a "dedicated" combustion analysis product.

Angle axis signal measurement software ExAngle

Angle axis signal measurement software ExAngle

We have revamped our combustion analysis instrument, which we have been using for over 40 years. While retaining the analytical technology used for combustion analysis, it is a versatile high-speed sampler that enables measurement and analysis of all rotating bodies, not just internal combustion engines.

It's like an intuitively usable tool.

How have customers reacted to such a change in direction?

Shimizu

As I primarily handle sales in the automotive industry, I have many clients who perform combustion analysis, and I've received positive feedback from them regarding the improved usability of the software. The easier setup process should help prevent setting errors that often occur during measurements. Furthermore, the addition of illustrations to the settings screen eliminates the need to refer to the manual for item definitions. Although this product is no longer a specialized device, I believe it's much easier to use than its predecessor, even for clients new to combustion analysis. Even though I'm a salesperson specializing in combustion analysis, I struggle daily to acquire product knowledge, but this product has significantly lowered the barrier to entry for combustion analysis.

Ikeda

I'm glad to hear you say that. Software often has many functions and layers, which can make it difficult to operate, but we were determined to make this product an intuitive "tool" that can be used naturally without even thinking about it. We didn't compromise on this point and put a lot of thought into it, so I'm glad that you appreciate the usability; it makes all the hard work of the development team worthwhile. It's easy for first-time users, and the key features remain the same, so I think we've created a product that's easy to use even for veterans who are familiar with existing products.

  • It's like an intuitively usable tool.

That perfectly matches the concept you mentioned earlier: "more efficient and easier."

Uehara


I was able to use it from the very first time without even looking at the manual. I'm also pleased to have received compliments from customers who use our existing products. Recently, the focus has shifted from solely electrification when we started development, but I'm glad that we were able to release a product that can be useful to a wide range of customers even in this current situation of diversifying power sources.

Ikeda

I truly believe that. At the beginning of development, there was some internal resistance to developing a feature targeting the shrinkage prediction engine, and it was difficult to explain our intentions and gain support. However, when we actually delivered the product to our customers and received positive feedback, I felt that it was worthwhile to persevere with the development.

[Combustion Analysis System - The History of ExAngle (Partial Excerpt)]

  • [Combustion Analysis System - The History of ExAngle (Partial Excerpt)]

Finally, could you tell us about your future plans?

Uehara

With the release of this product, our range of applications has expanded, so first, we would like to introduce it to a variety of customers and solve as many of their problems and requests as possible. Furthermore, we would like to consider how this product can contribute to any markets that we expect to grow in the future, rather than limiting ourselves to existing markets, and use that to move forward.

Shimizu

I believe one of the things our customers are looking for is ease of connection with other devices. While communication functions are already included, we anticipate this need will only increase in the future, so I hope you will continue to refine the product with this in mind. I myself also want to deepen my knowledge by using this product, and become a salesperson who can quickly identify market needs and feed that feedback back into development.

Ikeda

While there is a growing demand for further performance improvements in current engines, many customers face difficulties in achieving both performance enhancement and electrification simultaneously, requiring significant capital investment and personnel allocation. Therefore, automation and unmanned processes will become increasingly necessary for performance evaluation, testing, subsequent analysis, and report generation. Going forward, we aim not only to improve the functionality of this product but also to develop related products that can contribute to addressing these on-site challenges. Furthermore, developing this product with a team that includes younger employees has fostered a proactive and ambitious approach to developing new features. We hope you will look forward to their future contributions.

  • It's like an intuitively usable tool.