Automotive
Services
Improving design and performance is the fuel for the future of the automotive industry.
Tire Testing
Tire tests for racing customers include a study of thermal influence and heat cycles on tire performance and consistency. We can then quickly use the data to define car setup choices such as camber and pressure, while the model created with our software, OptimumTire, can be used as input in simulations.
And thanks to our years of experience, proven tools, and documented methods, matching a tire to a vehicle is now much easier.
Why choose OptimumG for Tire Testing?
- OptimumG has performed tire testing on more than 50 projects since 2009.
- We share not only all data, but also all methods. We test and fit any type of tire models, from simple and widely used steady state, to more complex transient, thermal, or FEA-like models.
- We offer fast and cost-effective solutions with our proprietary tire analysis software, OptimumTire.
- We can analyze tire data to share recommendations on getting the most out of a tire package, whether you optimize vehicle design or vehicle setup.
- We can scale tire models generated on a Flat-Trac® machine as well as tire forces generated on the road, so simulation matches reality.
Center of Gravity & Inertia Testing
Kinematics & Compliance Testing
Why choose OptimumG for Kinematics & Compliance Testing?
- We can characterize the vehicle suspension using K&C Testing.
- We will be using the K&C testing results to create a reliable and accurate vehicle model.
- We can uncover problems with your car’s design and manufacturing process by analyzing test results.
4/7 Post Rig Testing
4/7 Post-Rig Testing Delivers a Fundamental Understanding of the Vehicle’s Suspension
- Mechanical evaluations (find structural/vibration issues, validate chassis stiffness)
- Vehicle characterizations (determine actual system frequencies and damping)
- Performance optimizations (quantify effect of damper/springs/ARBs, validate steady-state, and transient vehicle balance)
Vehicle Instrumentation
And we make sure you get the most cost-effective solution for your requirement.
OptimumG can perform the following:
- Hardware / software sourcing
- Wiring loom and sensor installations
- Data logger and sensor setup / configuration
- Testing, calibration, and validation
- Fault-finding
Vehicle Testing (Subjective & Objective Evaluation)
The test includes:
Vehicle Configuration
Vehicle Instrumentation
- Sensors List
- Data Acquisition Setup
- Filter Specification
Track Surface Characterization
Tire Specifications
Test Procedures
- Slow Increasing Steer (ISO 4138)
- Constant Radius Cornering (ISO 4138)
- Step Steer (ISO 7401)
- Continuous Sinusoidal Input (ISO 7401)
- Braking in a turn (ISO 7975)
- Power-off reaction (ISO 9816)
Weather Report
OptimumG engineers rate the performance of the vehicle using a set of criteria. These ratings are then correlated against objective metrics which are extracted from test data. The list of subjective evaluation criteria includes:
- On-center window: The general feel and responsiveness of the steering wheel at the center position. A good rating generally means that the steering wheel tends to return to center when a small input is applied.
- Steering feedback: How well the steering wheel torque correlates with vehicle behavior. A vehicle with a linear response typically has a good rating under this criterion.
- Connected feel: How well the vehicle movement (roll, pitch, and yaw) correlates to driver inputs (steering, brake, and throttle).
- Lane change: How stable the car feels during a lane change maneuver.
- Control: The amount of yaw response to a steer input.
- Stability: The ability of the car to remain in its trajectory after a small disturbance.
- Grip: The maximum lateral acceleration the vehicle can have during a cornering maneuver.
- Balance: How much the car oversteers/understeers during corner entry, apex, or exit.
- Breakaway: How the vehicle behaves past its maximum acceleration point. A good rating generally represents a gradual breakaway with no sudden changes in vehicle behavior.
- Throttle and braking behavior: General performance evaluation of the throttle and braking systems.
- Confidence level: General evaluation of the amount of confidence the driver has on the stability of the vehicle.
Vehicle Modeling, Simulation, & Validation
MSC Adams Car®
- Slow Increasing Steer (ISO 4138)
- Constant Radius Cornering (ISO 4138)
- Step Steer (ISO 7401)
- Continuous Sinusoidal Input (ISO 7401)
- Braking in a turn (ISO 7975)
- Power-off reaction (ISO 9816)
Yaw Moment Method
OptimumG also uses OptimumDynamics to perform simulations following the Yaw Moment Method.
Examples:
- How much understeer does the car have in a high-speed corner?
- How is the stability during hard braking?
- How much does the balance shift when throttle is applied?
OptimumG has successfully used this kind of simulation for both racing and passenger cars.