Automotive, Rail and Transport expertise

Automotive, Rail and Transport Industries

EnginSoft boasts a broad range of multi-disciplinary expertise which spans from mechanical and resistance analyses, deformability and durability, crash analysis and ride comfort to the thermal, fluid dynamic, acoustic, electromagnetic and optical fields.

The automotive industry has been using computer-based engineering since the 1980s.

Initially simulations were limited to structural verification of single components, with the first simulations for production processes such as foundry, deep-drawing and plastic molding. Since then, technological advancements have made the computer processing power available at lower costs. This has led to the virtual simulation, of both components and complex systems, with a high degree of confidence, making it an integral part of the product design and development process for both the OEM and tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers to the automotive industry.

For the last several years the industry has been investing in simulation based engineering projects and OEMs and their suppliers are now putting more emphasis on multiobjective optimization.

Today, numerical simulation models are indispensable tools for: reducing the time to market and product development costs, especially in the design phase of a product when crucial choices are made and where the subsequent reversal of those choices can prove to be extremely costly, and facing new technological challenges.

  • The use of new materials such as light alloys, high strength steel, composites and nanomaterial coatings
  • New manufacturing processes and joining technologies
  • New methane, biogas, fuel cell, hydrogen or electric fuel systems that are either running solely on that fuel or as a hybrid system
  • New vehicle architecture for city driving or hybrid vehicles
  • Optimization, driven by the need for improved components, systems and the entire vehicle – this has inevitably led to the use of numerical simulation in the design phases as opposed to using it just in the verification phase

Facing new technological challenges

EnginSoft has been a player in virtual simulation since its inception.
With years of consultancy projects behind it in the automotive industry, EnginSoft boasts a broad range of multi-disciplinary expertise which spans from mechanical and resistance analyses, deformability and durability, crash analysis and ride comfort to the thermal, fluid dynamic, acoustic, electromagnetic and optical fields.

Using the best commercial tools for the job, and writing custom routines when necessary to complete the job, we cover simulation and the optimization of the entire production processes.

Automotive industrial sector

EnginSoft is member of

...
...

A perspective on simulation in the automotive industry

Face to face with Paul Stewart, design process leader and consultant

Futurities, our EnginSoft's SBE&S Magazine, interviewed Dr Paul Stewart about his thoughts on the evolution of simulation’s role in the design process in the automotive industry, the evolving roles of CAD and CAE and the move to freeform deformation in automotive design, as well as the likely impact and role of artificial intelligence technologies in this space.

Read the article
Paul Stewart

My journey with aerodynamics and design began when learning to sail at 10 years old. At first imagining the wind moving through the sails to make the boat go forward and later, when teaching racing, helping students think about the air moving over the shape of the sail surfaces as we learned to trim them to maximize boat speed. Yes, the mathematics and physics are important, but ultimately good design comes from a natural understanding of behavior. This is what we, as engineers, should provide.

Our expertise in Automotive, Rail and Transport

CASE STUDY

Numerical simulations for the structural performance assessments: a connecting rod’s case study

Piaggio Group uses CAE to ensure a new product design’s safety and durability

The connecting rod is one of the most important components in powertrain systems, so it requires very careful structural analyses because its failure implies serious damage to the entire engine.

automotive ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Drag Optimization of the E-1 Electric Racecar

A FIA E-1 class racecar was being developed by Brigham Young University to set a world speed record for Electric Vehicles

The car is designed to race on the ultra-flat Salt Flats in Bonneville, Utah. The racecar weighs less than 500kg so increasing the downforce was critical. Reducing aerodynamic drag was also critical due to the power requirements of the racecar.

cfd automotive

CASE STUDY

Woodrail Road Barrier Impact Analysis

The Woodrail® road barrier is designed to improve vehicle safety blending in with the surrounding environment.

The barrier has been thoroughly tested and certified against car and bus impact conditions.

automotive ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

A new methodology based on LS-DYNA for integrating product & process engineering of a steel wheel

Wheels are products with key geometrical and structural specifications.

A new methodology is presented, following an integrated process-product analysis approach, showing some benefits related to increased accuracy and the potential application of new optimization methods.

ls-dyna automotive composites

CASE STUDY

A Great Team, Numerical Simulation and Experimental Testing

Will the customer be satisfied with the performance and the quality of the product?

Today, numerical simulation and experimental testing are used to qualify products in different stages of the development process.

rail-transport ansys recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Development and optimization of crash brackets for ECE R29 regulation compliance

IVECO uses modeFRONTIER to simulate results to pass type-approval tests

This paper presents the main steps taken in the development phase of the IVECO cab suspension brackets to comply with the new ECE R29 crash regulation for Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HVC).

modefrontier optimization automotive

CASE STUDY

Cimolai Technology chooses Ansys to save design time and improve product quality

Cimolai Technology designs and produces special machines and plants for lifting, handling, transport and launching operations

Cimolai Technology explains the business benefits it has achieved since the installation in terms of time savings in planning, and design, and improvements in product quality and in delivery forecast ability.

ansys mechanics rail-transport marine

CASE STUDY

Exploring multi-resolution particle CFD methods

Particle-based CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methods have become very popular in recent years due to the simplicity of the model configuration process and the ability to solve free surface problems such as splashing.

automotive particleworks

CASE STUDY

Cooling fan module road test simulation

For engine cooling, Johnson Electric offers smart Cooling Fan Modules (CFM) with best in class efficiency and power density

ptimization of the product starts with a strong correlation of the model with specifically designed tests under controlled conditions.

ansys automotive

CASE STUDY

CFD study to optimize the cooling performance of a narrow specialty tractor

Numerical modelling reveals design strengths and weaknesses prior to prototype testing, saving time and money

In this technical article, a CFD study of various designs for four different specialty tractors: two brands of specialty tractors for vineyard configurations, and two brands of specialty tractors for orchard configurations, are described.

automotive ansys cfd

CASE STUDY

Electrifying Solutions for Motors and Generators

Marelli Motori engineers use Ansys multiphysics solutions to custom-design motors and generators to solve challenges in hydropower, cogeneration, oil and gas, civil and commercial marine transport, military applications, and ATEX applications involving motors and generators in explosive atmospheres, among other applications.

automotive ansys energy

CASE STUDY

Optimization of the SLM/DMLS process to manufacture an aerodynamic Formula 1 part

This paper presents the RENAULT F1 Team’s AM process for an aerodynamic insert in titanium Ti6Al4V. Production was optimized by identifying the best orientation for the parts and the best positioning for the support structures in the melting chamber, in addition to using the ANSYS Additive Print module, a simulation software useful for predicting the distortion of a part and for developing a new, 3D, compensated model that guarantees the best “as-built” quality.

automotive additive-manufacturing optimization

CASE STUDY

Gravity Die Casting of Motorcycle Components

A permanent mold casting study of the mold design and mold-casting process of an aluminum alloy single-sided-swing-arm

The advent of the Naked Motorcycle has changed the way we look at motorcycle parts: they now also need to be aesthetically pleasing because they are mostly visible to the naked eye.

automotive magma metal-process-simulation rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Analysis of the thermo-fluid dynamics of a paint shop’s hot water distribution network

This article describes an analysis of the performance of a hot water distribution piping network consisting of a main boiler and various utilities inside an automotive paint shop based in France. The simulation is performed using Flownex, a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) software with concentrated parameters.

automotive flownex

CASE STUDY

Development of a methodology and tools for tolerances in vehicle electrification to meet future customer demand and ensure competitive advantage

EnginSoft and Metasystem develop design validation, verification methodology for highperformance on-board chargers for electric vehicles

This article describes how EnginSoft supported Metasystem in acquiring the know-how to satisfy future customer requests on the one hand, and to create projects that are as profitable as possible in terms of waste minimization, on the other hand.

automotive tolerances cetol

CASE STUDY

Face to face with Pietro Del Negro Senior CAE engineer at Ricardo

How Ricardo predicts the life of motorcycle components

In this article, Del Negro explains how Ricardo is developing solutions to support its customers to predict the lifecycle of motorcycle components, using finite element analysis (FEA) and fatigue analysis.

femfat mechanics automotive

CASE STUDY

Agricultural equipment suppliers use CAE to improve product performance, safety and desirability

CAE technologies also reduce design and testing times, and design costs

This case study describes how the company’s R&D team used ANYSYS and Spaceclaim to conduct Finite Element Method analyses to refine the design of a new model of a sprayer boom used by farmers to distribute phytosanitary products over fields for crop protection.

ansys automotive rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Optimization of an automotive manufacturing system design taking into account regional requirements

Applying CAE to facilitate business CapEx decision making in the automotive manufacturing sector

In this case study, EnginSoft engineers explain how they used modeFRONTIER to assist Comau, a Fiat Chrysler subsidiary, to optimize their approach to the preliminary design of production systems for automotive manufacturing system RFQs.

automotive optimization rail-transport modefrontier SIMUL8 iphysics industry4

CASE STUDY

Accurate modeling and simulation of belt-type continuously variable transmissions

RecurDyn facilitates virtualization of dynamic systems governed by both contacts and large flexibility

RecurDyn software allows belt-type systems, including CVTs, to be both modelled and simulated accurately. The dedicated “Belt Toolkit”, which is an automated modeling assistant, includes all of the components found in a belt-type transmission.

automotive rail-transport recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Aero packs in good shape with advanced mesh morphing

How the synergy between Adjoint Methods and RBF Morph can efficiently boost Dallara Automobili’s aerodynamic design process

This article describes a new method of aerodynamic design, the result of a collaboration between Dallara Automobili and RBF Morph, that uses adjoint methods and mesh morphing to create an innovative solution to accelerate the optimization process, reducing both time and costs.

automotive rbf-morph

CASE STUDY

Tracked Vehicle

RecurDyn offers two Toolkits that are completely dedicated to tracked vehicles

In this example, a tracked bulldozer was simulated to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the vehicle on different terrains and with different obstacles. The model can also be used to calculate the loads operating on the vehicle’s structure..

recurdyn automotive mechanics multibody

CASE STUDY

Strategy to optimize the independent suspension system of an off-highway, agricultural tractor

The purpose of the case study was to implement a design methodology that used multi-disciplinary simulation and an automated process to analyse thousands of product configurations and highlight vehicle performance distributions in terms of handling, comfort, and cost. This approach ensures that the best solution is always selected.

mechanics modefrontier automotive optimization

CASE STUDY

Oil flow simulation in a reciprocating engine at Honda R&D

Particleworks, an innovative particle method simulation tool, playing an important role in previously-unattainable simulation problems

In this technical article, EnginSoft and Prometech explain how they executed a highly complex computational simulation on the fluid-structure interaction of the oil flow inside a reciprocating engine, on behalf of Honda R&D.

automotive cfd particleworks

CASE STUDY

FEA of a Reinforced Concrete Tunnel under Fire Conditions

Fire risk verification of tunnel sections of a railway tunnel located in Florence

In this study the concrete tunnel section is discretized using longitudinal and shear truss fibers, together with stiff coupling elements where a transient heat fire analysis takes place.

construction civil-engineering rail-transport straus7

CASE STUDY

LS-DYNA and modeFRONTIER for Material Model Calibration at Automobili Lamborghini

The main challenge is to reproduce their structural behavior by developing suitable numerical models

While the engineers relied on modeFRONTIER's capabilities, the procedure has been to calibrate the constitutive parameters of LS-DYNA's advanced material models, and to use them for prediction, design optimization and robustness analysis.

modefrontier ls-dyna automotive composites

CASE STUDY

Multi-Objective Optimization of a Sailing Yacht Aluminum Mast

The optimal mast weight under specific structural strength requirements

The aim of this study was to reduce the weight of the world’s tallest aluminum mast for a new series of single mast sailing yachts manufactured by Perini Navi under the brand name Salute.

optimization modefrontier ansys marine rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Fluid Dynamics Optimization of Racing Engine Inlet Ducts at Aprilia Racing

Optimising racing engine inlet ducts using fluid dynamics

Racing engines are continuously evolved and fine-tuned to allow them to achieve extraordinary levels of performance, albeit with great complexity. However, MotoGP regulations restrict engine development by constraining some of the main design parameters.

optimization modefrontier cfd ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Many companies united by a common purpose: to enable people to rise

The choice to employ the ANSYS technology

Today the numerical simulation offers an important added value for dimensioning and testing of the motorbike’s chassis.

rail-transport ansys

CASE STUDY

Digitizing a process to standardize the analysis and evaluation of windshield wiper performance

TAE SUNG collaborates with DY Auto to develop dedicated software

This technical article describes a project that was undertaken by TAE SUNG Software and Engineering, in collaboration with DY AUTO in Korea, to establish a computerized process to conduct three-dimensional real-scale analysis of any of the three types of windshield wiper currently in use, and to establish a specific standard for evaluating wiper performance.

automotive ls-dyna ansys

CASE STUDY

Creating new services based on reconstruction of accident kinematics with FEM prototypes and a design thinking approach

This article combines the use of the finite element method with a Design Thinking approach to reconstruct a road traffic accident for an traffic accident insurance report in order to analyse the outcome of the accident, compare the respective property damage, and the physical injuries to pedestrians or passengers in order to limit the quantity of large claims compensation for the insurance company, while ensuring the fairness of the compensation for the customer to foster greater trust and credibility in the insurance provider.

automotive ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

Using CAE simulation to verify the structural safety and performance of a two-wheeler’s driving mechanism

Coupled simulation methods enables more accurate evaluation

In this article, we describe how Piaggio used computer-assisted engineering simulation to evaluate the structural safety, performance and dynamic behavior of the driving mechanism of a two-wheeled vehicle under both normal and spurious operating conditions, specifically static and fast dynamic conditions.

automotive multibody

CASE STUDY

A perspective on simulation in the automotive industry

Face to face with Paul Stewart, design process leader and consultant

Futurities interviewed Paul Stewart about his thoughts on the evolution of simulation’s role in the design process in the automotive industry, the evolving roles of CAD and CAE and the move to freeform deformation in automotive design, as well as the likely impact and role of artificial intelligence technologies in this space.

automotive

CASE STUDY

New process to analyze vibrational fatigue of solder joints on printed circuit boards used in electric vehicles

High degree of automation allows assessment of massive number of solder joints and electronic components

This technical article presents a simulation process to analyze fatigue in electronic parts, particularly in solder joints, on printed circuit boards (PCBs).

femfat electronics automotive

CASE STUDY

Application of Particleworks to the design and performance evaluation of waterproofing for automotive air conditioning systems

This article introduces a case study on the waterproofing of an automotive air conditioning system for rainy conditions using Particleworks, a particle method CFD software.

particleworks automotive

CASE STUDY

Optimization of water spray parameters by 3D CFD particle simulation for an automotive anti-aquaplaning system

In this paper, we discuss the digital modelling and simulation of the EASYRAIN Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution (AIS) using mesh-free moving particle simulation (MPS).

automotive particleworks

CASE STUDY

Cold Forging of a Silent Block Bush Steel Sleeve

Minimize physical prototypes and reduce waste, while reducing the lead time and overall production costs

The object of this study was simulating and optimizing the cold forging process for a silent block bush steel sleeve. A silent block bush is traditionally used in the linkage system of a car suspension, in railway carriages and in agricultural machinery.

metal-process-simulation forge forging automotive

CASE STUDY

Using multidisciplinary optimization for engine suspension stiffness

Optimizing idling and ride comfort

In this technical article, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles explain how they created a multibody optimization project to identify the optimal values for the powertrain suspension stiffness for a three-cylinder engine in order to minimize the vibrations at idle condition and ensuring greater ride comfort to the passengers.

automotive optimization modefrontier

CASE STUDY

Forklift Dynamics

The forklift’s wheels were represented in detail to implement a sophisticated model of the tire features

A client wanted to evaluate the dynamic performance of a new-concept forklift, so a fully-functional multibody model of the forklift was built by assembling the client’s CAD geometries.

multibody automotive mechanics recurdyn

CASE STUDY

High Pressure Die Casting Optimization of a Connecting Rod

A multi-objective engineering simulation study of the connecting rods manufacturing process

Connecting rods connect the pistons to the crank shaft in automotive engines and are vital components of the engine. Connecting rods are traditionally produced in ferrous metals by forging or die casting.

metal-process-simulation automotive magma

CASE STUDY

Damage Estimation of Vehicle through Tsunami Simulation using Particleworks and LS-DYNA

MPS method in fluid computational dynamics offers possibilities for improving the design of vehicle safety

In this technical article, we demonstrate how to apply a one-way coupling technique using a combination of ParticleWorks and LS-DYNA to estimate tsunami damage to a vehicle.

automotive ls-dyna energy cfd particleworks environmental

CASE STUDY

Powering the next generation of off-highway suspension design

Design process integration of an independent suspension axle for off-highway vehicles

This study presents the work undertaken by Dana Incorporated to develop a new independent suspension axle for an off-highway vehicle (OHV). This multi-disciplinary simulation activity combines improvements to the kinematic and dynamic performance of the suspension while also examining the constraints of the mechanical design and the hydraulic system, as well as the cost of the suspension.

modefrontier automotive

CASE STUDY

Lubrication and heat dissipation in transmissions and bearings

Lubrication and heat dissipation in transmissions and bearings are critical to both the performance and the life of these systems

Transmission design is mainly based on the mechanical aspects of the transmission and lubrication is an aspect that is verified, and eventually corrected, based on bench testing, i.e. once the design phase has been completed and a physical prototype is available.

mechanics particleworks automotive

CASE STUDY

Multiphase CFD Analysis of Condensation in Automotive Headlamps

A new 3D CFD multi-phase model to simulate the water condensation-evaporation processes

EnginSoft implemented a new 3D CFD multi-phase model to simulate the water condensation-evaporation processes inside automotive headlamps for Automotive Lighting, a leading supplier of quality headlights to the OEM market

automotive cfd ansys rail-transport

CASE STUDY

Optimizing a cam mechanism using Adam and MATLAB

The design of a cam for high-speed production machines with various operating criteria imposes various conflicting objectives

This technical case study explains the application of a two-step methodology using the MATLAB and Adam algorithms in the modeFRONTIER software platform.

optimization modefrontier automotive

CASE STUDY

Fuel Injection

A multibody model was developed using RecurDyn to study the high-speed dynamic behavior of the injector during a typical work cycle

The model contains both rigid and flexible bodies: the pin was modelled using the proprietary Full Flex technology which includes a Finite Element body in the dynamic simulation.

recurdyn mbd-ansys automotive multibody

CASE STUDY

Comparing finite volume and particle CFD simulation methods for understanding lubrication in automotive transmissions and axles

Understanding the flow of oil lubrication in transmissions and axles is vital to improving their efficiency and reducing the wear of key components. The choice, and volume of lubricant, and the shape of the gearbox housing can all be optimized for the expected gear speeds, loads, and temperatures.

automotive particleworks

CASE STUDY

Cost Effective High- Performance Design: Innovation is the Answer

Marelli Motori applies multiphysics simulation to cost-effectively design better, more reliable motors and generators faster

Improving efficiency while reducing cost is a very complex engineering challenge. Marelli Motori makes extensive use of CFD and FEM multiphysics simulation to do just that in the design of its electrical motors and generators.

ansys automotive cfd

CASE STUDY

Comparing cooling methods for e-motors

A simulation methodology developed by TotalEnergies

In this paper, we will present the methodology developed by TotalEnergies and EnginSoft to select, design and improve an e-motor by simulating and predicting electromagnetic losses, fluid flow behaviour and temperature distributions.

automotive electronics particleworks

CASE STUDY

Engine Dynamics

A four-stroke engine was analyzed in depth by means of a detailed Multibody Dynamics (MBD) simulation

This type of highly-defined model provides valuable outputs: the contact analysis provides detailed information about the pressure and friction between the parts, which is useful for estimating wear

automotive multibody recurdyn

CASE STUDY

Optimizing the spray cooling of e-drives with moving particle simulation

This article discusses the use of moving particle simulation of the oil distribution system to predict heat dissipation and temperature distribution in the engine in order to examine virtual e-drive prototypes to improve their final design.

particleworks automotive

CASE STUDY

Excavators

The influence of flexibility was considered with the use of both the Reduced Flex and the Full Flex options in RecurDyn

A multibody model of an excavator was developed to calculate the loads acting on the structure and to perform static structural verifications of the different components.

automotive multibody recurdyn mechanics

CASE STUDY

Using CFD simulation to optimize the ventilation system of a spray booth

Overspray is a key problem in the paint application process. This phenomenon is caused by inefficiencies of the robots inside the spray booth and can best be solved by balancing the air flow properly in the paint application area.

automotive ansys cfd

CASE STUDY

Lucid Motors boosts electric vehicle performance with modeFRONTIER

Performing multi-objective inverter cooling system optimization with modeFRONTIER

This brief article summarises how California-based electric car company, Lucid Motors, used the CAE application, ModeFRONTIER for performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

automotive optimization modefrontier

CASE STUDY

Numerical simulation of protection systems on agricultural tractors to ensure standards compliancy

Virtual testing of roll-over protection and of falling-object protection in the early design phase ensures safety performance

This technical case study describes how the ROPS and FOPS of a tractor were numerically studied in the early design phase to ensure compliance with OECD Standard Code 4 (for the cabin’s resistance to longitudinal, lateral and vertical energy or force) and Code 10 (for overhead protection from falling objects).

automotive rail-transport ls-dyna

CASE STUDY

RecurDyn helps ensures passenger safety in faster, higher capacity detachable chair lifts

Software facilitates dynamic studies of complex multi-body models to predict accelerations; verify, shape and size structural parts

Dynamic studies are required to predict the accelerations, verify that the cams are properly shaped, and to extract the loads to structurally size the parts.

recurdyn multibody mbd-ansys automotive

CASE STUDY

Filming the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car Land Speed Record

Using CAE to optimise the design of a prototype for a super sonic filming drone

This detailed technical case study describes how the students arrived at a supersonic aircraft drone prototype using MATLAB and modeFRONTIER in order to reduce the time and costs of numerical and wind-tunnel testing.

automotive modefrontier optimization