methodology

We understand the vehicle dynamics system and its interaction with other systems can be tough.

You can probably relate to how we go about our work. Before we do anything, OptimumG gets the data that you currently have and then analyzes it, which gives us a better understanding of the factors at play in a vehicle. We get it. But with good data, we can make adjustments based on physical reality instead of speculation or intuition.

We also know that every project is different, so working with us means you get service tailored to your specific needs.

Set Objectives

Testing is a large part of our job, and to ensure our tests are successful, our engineers carefully consider many factors when they design test procedures. Their focus is on relevant test conditions, good test repeatability, and data quality.

During tests, engineers continuously monitor results to ensure data quality. Our tests can be rerun instantly, and if needed, we can perform changes in test procedures to save time and money by avoiding retests.

Measuring Vehicle Parameters

You get analyses fast because we use highly scalable analysis tools and methods. We start with the most straightforward analysis tool, and then increase the level of complexity until we get conclusive results. This means you get both a cost- and time-effective approach to solve your problems.

We typically use testing and simulation results to fully understand the ins and outs of a vehicle or vehicle subsystem.

After analysis, we usually gather the entire engineering group, with a vast range of experiences, to go over findings, voice their views, share ideas, and offer suggestions for solutions.

Simulation

OptimumG uses its own vehicle dynamics software, OptimumDynamics, and MSC Adams Car®. OptimumDynamics builds a full vehicle model and performs steady-state and transient-state simulations. Then, we use the test data to validate the simulation model and results.

And if you want to investigate changes on a specific subsystem or simulate the entire vehicle, OptimumG’s computational tools end trial and error and help you work more efficiently.

Vehicle Testing and Validation

Testing vehicles and their subsystems is an excellent way to understand their behaviors. OptimumG knows this because we’ve been doing it since 2010, both in controlled labs and on the road.

To ensure tests are successful, OptimumG engineers consider relevant test conditions, good test repeatability, and data quality. Our engineers emphasize thorough prep, real-time monitoring, and analysis and collected data—it all helps us avoid costly mistakes. When it’s done right, physical testing is often a competitive option to simulation.

OptimumG works with world-class labs and equipment around the world to organize and execute your tests. This not only means more efficiency, but also that instead of getting raw data (the norm with most test providers), you get fully interpreted results. And in addition to hard numbers, OptimumG will put the results into perspective through analysis, visualization, and conclusions. You get clean, clear facts at your fingertips for more confident decisions and peace of mind. This is the kind of thorough and professional service you can expect day in and day out with OptimumG.

Recommendations

After most tests, lots of data need to be collected. That can be headache inducing and time consuming. OptimumG’s post-processing routines process large amounts of data efficiently and even highlight the most important areas.

The OptimumG Difference:

  • Credibility and visibility among the highest echelons of the automotive manufacturers and racecar communities
  • Direct experience with thousands of automotive products and their customer base, giving suppliers insider information and suggestions for enhanced performance
  • A partner with focused attention and flexibility
  • Vehicle dynamics and data acquisition knowledge you can use for years to come

Here’s an example of a project we recently delivered:

Objective: A tire manufacturer wanted to set benchmarks of competitors and match the performance of tires for a high-end sports car. In short, they wanted to know how and why their competitors were better or worse.
1. Onsite Seminar
A two-day seminar on Applied Vehicle Dynamics to ensure all engineers understood the concepts they’d work on. Often during the seminar, vehicle dynamics problems are presented in a different perspective which helps engineers think in new ways to approach and tackle challenges.
2. Flat-trac Tire Test
By testing the tires on a Flat-Trac® machine, we were able to measure tire forces and moments, plus improve the testing routines of the tire manufacturer. We believe in the power of shared knowledge, so we encouraged our clients to participate in the test sessions. After the tests, we delivered the raw data, full-tire models, and a detailed performance report.
3. Vehicle Measurements
We conducted the following three tests: Kinematics and Compliance (K&C), Center of Gravity and Inertia, and Suspension Points Coordinates Measurement. Because the goal was to learn the reasons for performance gaps between tires, getting the vehicle parameters is crucial to understand the conditions the tires are facing. We also used these parameters to create a vehicle model in MSC Adams Car®.
4. Vehicle Objective/Subjective Testing
After getting all relevant parameters of the tires and the car, we tested them together at a proving ground. We conducted several tests following ISO standards. The goal of these tests was to get objective metrics for each tire package and correlate them with subjective evaluations from the driver.
5. Simulation
In the last step, our simulation team assembled a full-vehicle model in MSC Adams Car® to conduct dynamic simulations. We validated the simulation results using data from the vehicle tests. Then we ran sensitive analysis by varying parameters of the tires (cornering stiffness, grip, load/camber sensitivity, etc.), to help us understand how we could narrow the performance gap between us and the benchmark reference.