On the What We Do page of this website you viewed a selection of projects we have participated in. These range from projects in the proposal phase to projects that have been completed and functioning for up to nineteen years. This should give you an idea, visually and anecdotally, of our capabilities. Here on this page we will pragmatically list what we can offer you, the client;
We offer full service, comprehensive Engineering Design and Analysis in the fields of Structural, Civil, and Mechanical engineering including pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic control systems. Our analysis abilities include static, dynamic, event simulation, and eigenvalue buckling analysis using some of the most sophisticated computer analysis programs available today including: COSMOS/M, ALGOR, and RISA 3D. Our engineers and CADD designers possess a full range of 2-D and 3-D drafting and modeling skills coupled with the technology necessary to interface with any software design package our client or other vendors may be using.
We work with our clients providing alternative designs and value engineering to suit the demands and budget of each individual project. Our deliverable Contract Documents range from preliminary design concepts to comprehensive Bid Packages all the way to Build-to-Print shop drawings as required by the client. Our typical completion submittal includes an Executive Summary, Basis of Design with strength of materials, a comprehensive FEA Report (finite element analysis) with Calculations supporting our designs, and stamped and signed Engineering and/or Shop drawings. We support our Contract Documents through review by any Government agency required by the project, and can provide Construction Administration including shop and/or site inspections, shop drawing review, etc. as agreed to in our contract.
Transportation Innovations Group includes the designers of all of the Disney people-movers, monorails, and trams. All of this technology is applicable, and has been applied to commercial projects in many other venues, and we are constantly developing exciting new solutions for transportation in this increasingly crowded world. We have the ability to design unique ultra-low and zero-emission vehicles for any application of any scale or scope using inductively charged battery powered electric, hydrogen combustion/generator sets, and fuel cell powered units. Each of these vehicle power units are designed to be easily upgraded as advances are made in the rapidly changing world of zero-emission power. Click here to navigate directly to TIG Vehicle Design Concepts.
A&E PROJECT MANAGEMENT
EEI offers project management that is essentially your guarantee for a successful project. No other management group has the hands on experience of the EEI team. No project is too large nor too complex for our team.
We offer a management system that combines the best features of Civil, Architectural, and Construction based management systems. Project planning, scheduling, and organization follows the general guidelines of AIA, ASCE, and "Project Development Guidelines" as defined by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association). EEI is a founding member of the TEA and participates in the development of TEA standards. EEI is also a member of ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices, working to establish the standards for our industry.
EEI can address the QC review of these systems at any stage of development. The main focus is on safety. Therefore, broken metal is our main concern as the highest priority. If all of the operating loads and stresses are properly identified, and component load capacities are correctly selected, then the worst that can happen is related to component failure due to poor maintenance. Electrical and controls problems usually show up and are dealt with during the test and adjust phase, before the device(s) are put into service.
During the design phase, EEI works directly with the designers and engineers developing the systems being reviewed. Their calculations and drawings are reviewed as they are being produced, and independent analysis and calculations are made by EEI. Specialists are called upon as needed.
During the manufacturing phase, EEI also conducts shop inspections, again employing specialists to review processes such as welding, prestressing, and high strength bolting. Conformance to contract documents is monitored, and special tests and standards are monitored for compliance with the project specifications, and government regulations. Destructive and non-destructive testing is used as needed.
After completion when the show and ride systems are operating, EEI makes a physical inspection of the systems being reviewed. Operations and maintenance personnel are interviewed, and test and inspection procedures are reviewed. Calculations and drawings are checked, and independent analysis and calculations are made by EEI as needed. When appropriate, specialists are engaged for special testing such as dynamic tests, strain gage testing, etc.
A summary report accompanies all QC review work performed by EEI, following the format and content of the TUV as established in Europe. EEI is called upon by firms based in Europe to provide certification equivalent to that provided by the TUV for their products and services distributed in the USA.
An area in which EEI has proven itself time and again over the years is in the creation of Show and Ride Systems. The basis for our unparalelled success in this field is our proprietary Format for Procurement of Prototype Facility Show and Ride Systems developed over years. This format has been so successful in the area of Facility Show and Ride that we now apply it to all of our Transportation Sytems projects as well. It is set forth here;
We have discovered, tested, and proved the effectiveness of a few simple procedures that when added to the procurement planning process can significantly reduce the risk of developing any prototype system. Simply stated, the three key elements of the plan include the following:
A- Arrive at a best solution based upon studying alternative designs and performing trade-off studies.
B- Establish a conceptual cost estimate and perform value engineering as a part of the trade-off studies.
C- Perform failure mode and recovery analysis on all systems.
D- Make preliminary drawings.
E- Select approved components and provide catalog cuts.
F- Establish a Basis of Design document and perform preliminary calculations for statics, dynamics, timing, etc.
G- Package all of the above into the bid documents that are submitted to design/build vendors who are invited to critique and to find ways to improve upon our preliminary designs.
The EEI team has in 19 years developed a great many of the most exciting and interesting attractions in the world of entertainment. We know of no other firm that has developed so many unique and unusual prototype systems. Since we opened for business in 1987, no system that has followed the EEI procurement format has ever broken down, and all are still running.
We have taken our success in show and ride systems, and applied it to people movers of all kinds. Determined to fulfill the Disney dreams of EPCOT, Mineral King, and Community Transportation Services, TIG has developed an incredible line of people movers, offering all of the Disney types plus many more that go considerably beyond the Disney expertise and experience. The proprietary people mover designs, all featuring advanced ultra-low or zero-emission power systems, presently offered by TIG are as follows;
To recap some of the advanced features of these Transportation Alternatives:
- Ultra-low and Zero-emission power systems including,
- A) Battery power with unlimited mileage based upon inductive power coupling for recharging the batteries "on the fly".
- B) Hydrogen fueled engines or turbines driving generators that power electric motors on all wheels.
- C) Fuel cells powered by hydrogen, CNG, or methanol.
- Our Monorail designs include see-thru/walk-thru monorail trains capable of speeds up to 150 mph, using dynamic suspension for ride comfort.
The EEI motto:
The best of yesterday and today joined through
imagination, logic, and inspiration
to create a better tomorrow.
