The Automobile Division - Essex Centre (ADEC) operates in the Basildon area and organises around eight evening lectures per year, as well as supporting local schools, careers events and those aspiring to become Incorporated (IEng) and Chartered Engineers (CEng).
Our lectures are lively and interesting, focusing on a mixture of new automotive product launches, new technologies and other notable automotive events such as land-speed record, formula 1 and rallysport. We keep the events interactive with a chance to ask questions with opportunities, before/after and during the break, to socialise with professional and like minded people! Occasionally we venture beyond the strict automotive world into major transport construction projects of interest to the local area (such as the high-speed rail link - Eurostar) or other vehicle sectors (such as Agricultural, Construction equipment, or motorcycles).
Essex AD events are further enhanced by the fact that the venues we use enable us to display vehicles in the room during the lecture. Our lectures are also open to the public so both members and non-members are welcomed, so you are welcome to bring along any friends or relatives who may be interested in a particular topic - no booking required & there is no admission fee. Parking is easy and free at both our major venues and of course the Towngate Theatre, Basildon is easily accessible via public transport.
We actively welcome schools & those involved in Education/Careers to apply for our support as well as offers from you or your company if you are interested in presenting at a future event (lectures are usually booked around one year in advance) - in the first instance please contact the centre secretary (Use the "Contact Essex AD" link from our Centre menu above) . The ADEC is also the place to find out about the latest news from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and obtain help with your membership enquiries.
The lectures are usually on the third Wednesday of the month from September to May and start at 7.30 PM either at the Towngate Theatre, in Basildon, or at Ford Motor Company, Dunton Technical Centre, Laindon.
17 March 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30
As emissions regulations become more stringent , it is hard to imagine the modern diesel engine functioning efficiently without turbocharging being part of the air handling strategy. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the high level engine architecture and emission control influences on turbomachinery design and aerodynamics. A basic engine matching approach will be used to compare the general behaviour of some common diesel turbocharging systems and attention will be drawn to the additional system benefits of variable geometry turbines.
Updated
14 April 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30
(Joint event with SEA)
Dr Ulrich Eichhorn’s lecture will cover the original design and development of the Bentley V8 engine, from its introduction
in 1959, in their S2 model, through to its present day form in the newly launched
Bentley Brooklands coupe.
The talk will detail how this iconic design
continues to power its 4th generation of
flagship luxury motorcars half a century on,
having gained power and torque increases
of over 150% through a combination of
displacement increases, fuel injection,
turbocharging and intercooling whilst
simultaneously remaining compliant with
the latest Euro & US emissions limits.
30 April 2010 | 19:30 - 22:00
Joint Annual Dinner with South Essex Area (SEA)
Updated
12 May 2010 | 19:30 - 21:30
Ian Minards, B.Eng, MBA, CEng, FIMechE, Director of Product Engineering, Aston Martin Limited, intends to cover the range of technical challenges and innovations required in the design of Aston Martin's first 4 door sports car.
