August 1, 2015

Looking at 3d Cad systems with Motion Simulation

hotrod19
This rendering shows how little space is available for the suspension system

This rendering shows how little space is available for the suspension system

The front suspension design is too complex to ensure that the suspension model will work though all the movements and the changing ride height system adding to the possible movements.

To this end we have been researching 3dCad softwares that can simulate the suspension movements as we now need this capability in-house as the design work progresses to ensure no wasted redesign work later on.

There are many software’s that offer motion simulation as an option. The first is free from AR-Cad click here to view. This is a package that we are going to try out,an adding benefit is this software can resolve force input. This will be useful at the ride height adjusting system change the effective spring rate of the coil-over by changing the angle of the unit. This would enable the change is the ride height to be calculate…..possibly. The limitation is the importable models are only simple solids and dxf files. Useful for some basic checking but as the model will simplified not much use for collision detection.

Ar-Cad also offer a full 3dCad package which includes the Motion Simulation, a software called SpaceClaim for around $2,500. This looks to be a good solid modeller but not sure if you can model with surfaces in it (car bodywork is normally modeled in nurbs surfaces) Click here to visit web page. Will be doing move research into this software as this allows importing of iges/step files allowing the use of more complex models in the simulation.

Lastly we are looking again at Rhino3d, the basic modeller is a good surface modeller and there are many plugins to improve this for class A surface work. See previous blog on this (found another useful plugin- A curves click here for details ). For Motion Simulation there is an add on package called bongo click here to visit web page. We are still considering changing to rhino3d for design work as the surfaces produced are nearer class A, but still not sure if the software can produce surfacing as modifiable as Delcam’s power-shape. Need to use it more to find out what it can do. Note they have a 90 day trail period so if you want to try it Click here.

May 15, 2015

Designing full scale car models using Powershape by Delcam

hotrod19
New design for modern 32 hiboy. Much lower , wider and different.

New design for a modernized 32 hi-boy. A full scale model much lower, wider and definitely not another 32 hi-boy………. Working on a modular chassis with a central folded steel hub chassis and sub-frames front and back. I’ll post more details as the design is progressed.

This is a roadster design modeled using  Delcam’s Power-shape software. This a hybrid modeller which means you can use solid and surfaces, and in the later versions Triangle meshes. I have produced many models using this software, it is easy to use but will take time to learn. Delcam offer a free to use version if you would like to try it. Visit Delcam.com

What I like about it is you can easily add a curve into a surface to change it shape and add surface together ( with the same no. of control rails). However I have now reached the limit of the software in producing  a class A surface across a multi-patched surfaces. The need for class A surface arises if you wish to machine a large scale surface directly from the model as any small defects will show up in the machined part. Even so the software is still very good to develop a design.

This design was started with the full scale models of the men and the engine ( in this case a small block Chevy and Turbo 350 box. This give the scale for the car without allowing a design no one can fit in. Design modeled in 3d are much more build-able than artist sketch, but they do take much longer to produce.