Introduction:
Pilbeam Racing Designs are the UK distributors of ChassisSim.
ChassisSim is a transient simulation software package which can simulate any car around any track. Allowing the data to be displayed in most data analysis software, it is a powerful tool for use in the workshop, and at the track. ChassisSim is used in series such as F3, A1GP, Touring cars, Le Mans, V8 Supercars and VdeV.
ChassisSim has been used on several of Pilbeam's own cars both in design and race engineering. It was used effectively on the MP93 throughout the Le Mans Series. Currently, the software is used on the VdeV Virage, which gives Pilbeam the unique ability to supply and consult.
Please email Pilbeam (info@pilbeamracing.co.uk) to discuss pricing options, and which package will be suitable for you.
Capabilities:
ChassisSim drives the car to the limit providing an accurate gauge for the performance of you car.
The following is simulated by ChassisSim:
Oversteer and understeer
Tyre slip angles
Damper movement and bumps
Wheel camber change
Tyre Loads
Dynamic front and rear ride heights
Gear changes and lag
Throttle and steering position
Figure 1 (below) shows the ChassisSim simulation of an FIA GT1 around Snetterton, displayed in Motec. A Race engineer can use his existing maths channel to analyse the data as with real data.
Figure 1 - FIA GT1 simulated around Snetterton
As ChassisSim pushes the car to the limit the simulation can be used as an accurate performance indicator. It will highlight where drivers are not pushing had enough and how to reduce laptime.
ChassisSim is a transient simulation so the car is always in a state of linear, lateral and longitudinal acceleration with rotational pitch, roll and yaw accelerations. This is the power behind ChassisSim's programming that puts it ahead of its competitors. ChassisSim is particularly accurate at simulating dampers and track bumps.
Taking information from the car's track data ChassisSim can generate:
Full aerodynamic map of the car
Tyre model
Bump profile of the circuit
Interface:
ChassisSim uses an incredibly friendly user interface system (Figure 2). Simply click on the appropriate area of the car to make a change. If you want to raise the spring rate for example, click on the spring and enter the new figure.
Figure 2 - ChassisSim's user friendly interface.
Simple dialog boxes allow easy model creation and adaption. Components such as springs and dampers can be defined by figures or full displacement curves depending on the accuracy required.
Data Analysis:
ChassisSim can export data to Motec Interpereter, I2, Pi Toolbox, Pi V6 Analysis and Bosch WinDarab which also displaying data in an inbuilt data display. This allows race engineers to analyse simulation as if it was real data, in their normal analysis programs. Data can be exported in .txt or Matlab forms for further extensive analysis.
ChassisSim will also take real data as an input. For example ChassisSim will generate a full aerodynamic map of the car without the need for wing tunnel testing.
Options:
ChassisSim comes in a number of forms depending upon the depth of analysis required.
ChassisSim Lite:
The user can add springs and bars to their templates, and they have limited access to the car model
ChassisSim Standard:
The user can now look at advanced dialogs. This opens up the possibility of looking at third springs and non-linear spring arrangements. There is full access to the car model and toolboxes can be added as the customer wishes
ChassisSim Elite:
ChassisSim standard with all the toolboxes included.
Toolboxes:
7 Post Rig Analysis/Bode Plot:
This runs your car as if it was on a full 7 post rig analysis machine. It is the ideal tool to review the frequency response of your car. It then outputs the results to a data file that can be viewed in Excel or Matlab.
Auto Bump Generation:
By using logged data and the vehicle setup, ChassisSim can calculate the bump profile of the circuit. The bump profile is how the road surface varies throughout the circuit.
Aero Modelling:
This toolbox allows ChassisSim to produce logs of front and rear ride height vs downforce, drag and aero balance. Simply put it is a powerful tool that allows you to determine the aerodynamic map of the car.
Tyre Force Modelling:
This will produce the maximum Tyre Force vs Load characteristics for the front and rear tyres, based on the vehicle setup and logged data. This is a centre piece for determining the tyre models for your racecar.
Aero Setup Optimisation:
Given upper and lower limits of downforce and aero balance, ChassisSim will autonomously determine the best possible selection of downforce and aero distribution for a given car and circuit.
Mechanical Set-up Optimisation:
Given the upper and lower limits of front and rear springs, and front and rear roll bars, ChassisSim will autonomously determine the best possible selection of front and rear springs, plus front and rear roll bars for a given car and circuit.
Case Studies:
V8 Supercar - Preparing for a race weekend.
F3 - Solving high speed understeer between sessions.
please contact Pilbeam Racing Designs:
info@pilbeamracing.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1778 424838