LATEST SHOW NEWS

Key to Altair’s new 9.0 release of HyperWorks is a fresh licensing concept based on license units purchased. Different software components carry different unit ratings; if, for example, a customer purchases 50 units, he will be able to simultaneously use any software components carrying a rating of 50 units or less, the only possible limitation being the capability of the customer’s hardware.

Meanwhile Continental AG showed its latest-generation closed-loop air suspension system, the cost of which has been reduced by 25% compared to its predecessor. Now in production on the Hyundai Genesis, the technology will also become available on the Porsche Panamera in 2009. Commented Andreas Rohde, Conti’s director of suspension systems: “Vehicle Dynamics Expo is a good opportunity for us to catch up with customers away from official meetings. The Stuttgart location is very good as it’s close to two of our big customers.”

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Other exhibitors and visitors were also happy with their time at the show:

“We’ve had some good, engineering-based questions from both OEMs and supplier companies.” (Thomas Führer, senior manager, Innovation Products, Robert Bosch)

“It’s my first visit here and it’s very good. Having the Automotive Testing show next door is also very useful.” (Andrew Unsworth, senior engineer vehicle dynamics, Bentley Motors)

“The Lotus Engineering workshop was a fun way of seeing how the software tools work.” (Andy Kitson, vice-director chassis, SAIC Motor UK)

Day 2: Wednesday 07th May 2008

News from the floor

A highlight of the morning’s activities on Day 2 of Vehicle Dynamics Expo was Lotus Engineering’s dynamics workshop. A packed audience followed the early development of a fictional vehicle, with experts from Lotus emphasizing the dynamics implications of engineering decisions.

On the exhibition stands, there were plenty more new products, services and announcements for visitors to investigate. Robert Bosch showed the MM5.8 yaw rate sensor currently under development, ahead of its planned market introduction in 2010. Half the size of the previous model but with the same accuracy and response time, its reduced dimensions allow a smaller connector to be used.

Brake specialist Alcon’s niche OEM business continues to expand, so the UK firm is investing in a new production cell and extended R&D facilities, to be ready by the end of Q2 2008. The company’s latest OE caliper, an Audi RS6 unit developed from an existing product for the Bentley Continental GT, was on display at the expo.

Day 1: Tuesday 06th May 2008

New technologies launched and satisfied visitors on day one!

Alcon has unveiled a new mechanically actuated handbrake caliper that is designed in response to the question, ‘How can you park a vehicle fitted with OPCs on the rear axle?’ At present, there are very few options for customers requiring the benefit of OPCs on road-legal performance cars.

Elsewhere in Hall 3, VI-Grade is showing a new version of its VI-CarRealTime tool for chassis controls development. An extension to ADAMS Car that makes the vehicle model available in a real-time domain for controller strategies to be tested, the technology was also the subject of a presentation today by Matteo Lanzavecchia of Ferrari in the Vehicle Dynamics Expo free-to-attend Open Technology Forum.

Also debuting at the Expo is ArvinMeritor’s model-based chassis controls architecture and electrically driven power pack for active roll-control applications. vice-president Ed Frutig, of chassis systems for light vehicles at the Tier 1 supplier commented: “Our common architecture offers a flexible and scalable design approach.”

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