Detailed FEV study shows the way to major vehicle mass savings
Significant vehicle mass reduction—up to 20%—is achievable if weight reduction is pursued as part of a "full-vehicle approach," according to a study by FEV Inc. released Dec. 13. The company used a 2010 Toyota Venza for its research because that model was used in an earlier, related study. The comprehensive phase-two study by FEV was conducted for the U.S. EPA. The previous study, by Lotus Engineering (go to www.sae.org/mags/aei/8512 to read more), was conducted for the International Council on Clean Transportation. That study did not address mass savings from the powertrain to the extent the new one does, nor did it use advanced CAE tools to judge the impact of mass-savings measures on safety, according to FEV. In both cases, the mass savings were to be achieved with no degradation in safety or other parameters. The new study shows that the body-in-white and closures offered the most mass reduction at 68.32 kg (150.62 lb), followed closely by suspension. Total mass savings of 18.3% (312 kg/688 lb) was achieved, and at a cost savings of $148 from manufacturing efficiencies.
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Advanced CAE tools were used as part of the comprehensive study that resulted in a report of 890 pages.
Autodesk, IndyCar sign technology partnership
Autodesk and IndyCar have signed a three-year technology partnership that will give the participants in the IZOD IndyCar Series broad access to the former's cloud-based design and engineering software. The software offerings include Autodesk Product Design Suite, Autodesk Simulation 360, Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite, and Autodesk PLM 360. This capability will better enable the organization to come up with aerodynamic specifications for components that all race teams can agree on—reducing any advantages or disadvantages among teams and creating a more competitive and exciting racing environment, the companies said in a joint press release issued Nov. 29. IndyCar already employs Autodesk software within its operations for a variety of important functions—for example, AutoCAD is used to create detailed garage layouts before each event, which helps improve the logistics of load-in and load-out at venues. The same product is used in relation to sled crash testing.
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IndyCar's engineering and operations group will use Autodesk Digital Prototyping applications to design and engineer product innovations for chassis designs, parts, and components.
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