Software for Suspension Design
Software for Suspension Design
(OP)
Real suspension design packages are too expensive for normal people to buy.
At work I use ADAMS, and dread to think what the license rates are. More usefully you might consider Working Model 3D, but that is still pretty expensive, at around $10k. It has the advantage that it is Windows based, and is quite easy to use. It took a friend of mine 2 days (with a few hints from me) to put a full vehicle model together that would drive over a bump correctly, doing the same thing from scratch in ADAMS would take weeks, particularly for a new user.
Still, 10k is a lot of dosh, so you might want to look at http://askoh.com/freecad/
I've tried it, it does work. It doesn't seem to have all the non-linear spring types (splines) that make ADAMS such a powerful program, but you should be able to model one wheel as it goes through its full articulation quite easily.
At work I use ADAMS, and dread to think what the license rates are. More usefully you might consider Working Model 3D, but that is still pretty expensive, at around $10k. It has the advantage that it is Windows based, and is quite easy to use. It took a friend of mine 2 days (with a few hints from me) to put a full vehicle model together that would drive over a bump correctly, doing the same thing from scratch in ADAMS would take weeks, particularly for a new user.
Still, 10k is a lot of dosh, so you might want to look at http://askoh.com/freecad/
I've tried it, it does work. It doesn't seem to have all the non-linear spring types (splines) that make ADAMS such a powerful program, but you should be able to model one wheel as it goes through its full articulation quite easily.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Talk To Other Members
RE: Software for Suspension Design
this is a fast and easy to use software !
Phil
RE: Software for Suspension Design
www.solid-dynamics.com
RE: Software for Suspension Design
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Software for Suspension Design
This is the home of Wm. C. Mitchell's RACING BY THE NUMBERS. I used an older version of this software to design my Formula SAE car's suspension. It was a geometery only package then. The curent cost is $1895. It only does suspensions but it does them well. It is used by several winning professional teams. The math behind it is well proven. It is very easy to use. Just change the values in a table for the type (A arm, strut...) of suspension you have.
I strongly recamend it.
ProEpro
www.whitelightdesign.com
RE: Software for Suspension Design
No need to get a functional copy of Solidworks... a standalone version does exist...
RE: Software for Suspension Design
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Software for Suspension Design
Kevin
RE: Software for Suspension Design
By chance have you visited the following web site? http://www.gmecca.com/byorc/designsoftwarecontent.html
I was looking for suspension modeling software and found them on Google.
Down loaded Susprog3D Demo over the weekend and hope to see how it works later this week. Are you familiar with this product?
RE: Software for Suspension Design
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Software for Suspension Design
The help system is very good indeed, puts the one in ADAMS to shame! I spent more time reading the help than playing with the program to be honest, it was that informative.
I haven't run a full analysis yet, I'm in the middle of a very long run doing something else, which is taking 10 minutes to solve 1 microsecond.
Incidentally the models included for the VT and AU are of V8 supercars, ie using the Falcon based rear suspension, not the road car's suspension.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Software for Suspension Design
book is a good read too.
RE: Software for Suspension Design
I have used it a long time ago (on an XT!), the latest version looks very useful
http://www.mitchellsoftware.com/prod01.htm
So far as I can tell it assumes that your suspension is a true mechanism, that is it doesn't understand bush rates at the pivots.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Software for Suspension Design
Mitchell's software is purely kinematic and does not consider deflections of any members or bushings. In the manuals he describes the models he used in detail. The manuals are actuly a usefull resource for learnign about suspension systems.