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.