Lotus SHARK 1

[GregLocock]

I've just been using the (unrestricted) demo of this program, and added a few comments to the FAQ for the various suspension analysis programs

http://www.lesoft.co.uk

It's basically a very easy to use 3D mechanism program, so you get charts of camber in ride, and so on. It is roughly equivalent to Susprog3D, although it can handle linear bushes, and has some full vehicle report outs (Ackermann and so on).

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[hutch325]

I saw the writeup on this in Racecar Engineering and it looked pretty interesting. Too bad I already have Susprog3D as the linear bushing feature of the Lotus program looks quite useful.

 

[red300zx99x]

Have you seen a way to add assymetries? Maybe able to do it in the templates, but that seems to be for 1 side only

 

[GregLocock]

No, I haven't. I think the 'display other side' option is just a presentation thing, haven't seen any use for it.

Can you see a way of displaying the suspension in its design position only?



Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[red300zx99x]

Graphics->Screen Display->Static Only

Still trying to figure out how to add a force(to the cg perferrably) and see the result.

 

[GregLocock]

Ta. I knew I'd seen it somewhere.

For your forces have a look in the help at "Overview - Compliance External Forces"

I haven't had a play with the compliance module yet, so that's all I know.

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[red300zx99x]

Only able to add a external force to the wheel it seems.....

 

[GregLocock]

Hmm. Are you trying to work out FBRC? Try applying a lateral force at the CP, it ought to tell you something useful.

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[red300zx99x]

Yeh, but I'd also like to control the magnitude of the force at the CG in order to get to a particular point in roll, or pitch for that matter

 

[red300zx99x]

Figured out the CG problem, I think. Just figured out an estimate for the roll angle desired, then applied the lateral forces at the contact patch. Gotta be an easier way. Anywho, the effect was noticable. Have you seen a way to roll, dive, and steer at the same time. BTW I'm in love with the tolerance solver as it's a good way view slug or shim stack adjustments.

 

[red300zx99x]

BTW have you checked out RAVEN yet?

 

[GregLocock]

I did 1 run to see what happens, but haven't had a good chance to play with it.

Cheers

Greg Locock