Optimization and robust design is one of the keys to improve quality of the projects, reduce timing in development and costs.
Recent applications in automotive industry to develop new cars are showed with particular focus on chassis systems and performances.
The development of a car able to concurrence with the best car-makers in the world requires optimizing the performance to reach the best compromise for several different aspects.
During the optimization of handling & comfort performances the evaluation of all the possible and robust configuration for suspension parameters allows to analyze different setups for the same vehicle in order to achieve the target setting. The complete DOE, and in some cases response surfaces, represent an opportunity for managers to make a decision balancing handling and comfort or other conflicting performances during the process of development of a car.
The optimal setup of suspension components must also guarantee robust and stable performances.
An optimum vehicle set-up is determined not only reaching the performance and cost targets but is also characterized by a robust design considering all production tolerances and dispersions of single components characteristics. Taking in account dispersion of components characteristic in production means to guarantee to the customer the performances that are defined in nominal project.
Another essential issue during the development process is to reduce time necessary to deliver the components and to optimize weights and costs.
Integration between CAD and CAE, involving structural optimization, is fundamental to reduce the loops necessary in the definition of suspensions components? geometry and material.
The applications at Fiat Group Automobiles in the area of Chassis&Vehicle Dynamics will show some great advantages with using modeFRONTIER linked to various CAE tools in the process development. |
22-23 October 2012 Pacengo del Garda 
