Technical Innovations
Mechanical Dynamics adds engine cranktrain module
 ADAMS/Engine Cranktrain from Mechanical Dynamics provides a template-based wizard that enables engineers to input design parameters into form fills. The software automatically creates geometry and positioning of the engine components such as pistons, connections, and bearings, as well as gas forces. |
Four new products have been added to ADAMS Version 12.0 from Mechanical Dynamics to provide a more comprehensive range of functional virtual prototyping solutions. The release of ADAMS/Engine Cranktrain builds upon the growth the company had last year in aerospace and defense applications with the introduction of ADAMS/Aircraft.
New products in the 12.0 release are ADAMS/Engine Basic Cranktrain, which provides cranktrain modeling capability for any type of engine based on rigid bodies and completes the company's Functional Digital Engine solution; ADAMS/AutoFlex, which allows rapid definition and simulation of flexible components in a single virtual prototyping environment; ADAMS/Chassis, which uses the XML data format for an enhanced set of modeling objects in the deployment of a common vehicle prototyping framework across the ADAMS vehicle product line; and ADAMS/Aircraft Landing Gear.
Along with the new basic cranktrain module, new capabilities have been added to the existing valvetrain, chain drive, timing belt, and accessory drive modules. ADAMS/Driveline has been improved through an extended set of driveline templates, such as a torque converter and clutch connector, and the addition of driveline maneuvers such as static load-case analysis and rpm-sweep analysis. A quasi-static extension for fast and accurate full-vehicle simulations has been added to ADAMS/Car.
Enhancements have also been made to ADAMS/EDM, which was developed in conjunction with MTS Systems to provide full integration between the physical and virtual test worlds. "Through our SmartSim partnership with MTS Systems and nCode International, developers of widely used fatigue analysis software, we are able to deliver a durability solution that bridges virtual and physical prototype testing," said Robert Ryan, President of Mechanical Dynamics. The 12.0 release of the product now supports multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) for cross-coupled bushings.
Daratech, Inc., a Cambridge, MA-based industry research firm, estimates that the virtual prototyping and simulation market is a $1.3 billion industry. Ryan concurs. "For more than five years, we've grown at a greater than 15% rate per year, and have set our targets to continue that pace," he said.
- Jean L. Broge
ATV racing wheels from DuPont nylon
 According toHiPer Technology, racing ATVs gain competitive advantages with wheels made from DuPont's Zytel nylon resin with carbon-fiber reinforcement.  |
HiPer Technology has developed rugged, lightweight wheels for racing all-terrain vehicles (ATV) made of a carbon-fiber composite based on DuPont's Zytel nylon resin. The wheels have a mass of 0.45 to 0.9 kg (1 to 2 lb) less than an aluminum wheel, depending on size, to deliver a more responsive racing performance, according to Tom Darnell, President of HiPer.
The precision roundness of the wheels provides for improved ATV handling and a smoother ride, claims Darnell. The wheels' out-of-round measurement (or run-out) is only 0.05 mm (0.002 in) vs. up to 6.4 mm (0.25 in) for aluminum wheels. Adding to the wheels' racing benefits are their resistance to permanent deformation or denting. When subjected to severe loads that would cause permanent damage to aluminum wheels, the carbon composite wheels flex slightly and recover.
The wheels are made with either single or dual bead locks. The single bead lock models use two ring-shaped body parts, an aluminum center section, and a bead lock ring. The dual-lock models have an additional body component and bead lock ring. Components are bolted together to assemble finished wheels.
Body parts for the wheels are injection molded from Zytel CDV805, which contains both carbon and glass fiber reinforcements in a super-tough nylon polymer matrix. Bead lock rings are molded from Zytel 84G33L, a toughened, glass-reinforced nylon grade. The rings are bolted on when a tire is mounted. Both the body parts and bead lock rings are injection molded by Pressure Plastics of Chesterfield, MI.
- Jean L. Broge
