Preferences

The Simulator Preferences can be accessed by selecting options in the tool strip menu or by clicking the OptimumK Preferences button in the Program Toolbar.

Motion Steps

The number of motion steps is the number of intervals that the motion is split up into during the calculation process. The larger the number of motion steps, the longer the analysis calculation time. The default setting (50 steps) is a good compromise for all motions other than Imported Track Data.

When importing a motion from a data logger the number of motion steps should match the total number of samples over the entire motion. For example if a set of linear potentiometers are logged at a frequency of 100Hz over a 50 second lap then the number of motion steps will need to equal 100x50 = 5000 to ensure that all the logged data is included in the motion.

Roll and Pitch Axis

The user can select from three different Roll and Pitch axes that will be used in the calculation.

Moving Axis

When Moving Axis is selected Roll and Pitch motions are applied around the moving kinematics Roll and Pitch Axes which were calculated in the previous motion step.

Fixed Axis

With a fixed axis, the position of the Roll and Pitch axis remains constant regardless of the kinematical movement of the suspension. The suspension rolls around an axis defined by two points that are located on the ground, in the middle of the front and rear contact patches respectively. Similarly the suspension pitches around an axis defined by two points located on the ground, in the middle of the left and right wheelbases.

User Defined Axis

The user defined axis allows the user to input a predetermined Roll and Pitch axes. This can be done by entering the Front and Rear points of the Roll Axis and the Left and Right points of the pitch axis

Run Options

3D Visualization

The 3D visualization option toggles the animation window during the simulation. Selecting “On” allows the user to visualize the suspension kinematics real-time as the calculation progresses. However, this increases the load on the CPU and requires more processing time. Users with a slower processor or graphic card would benefit by switching the 3D Visualization to “Off”.

Autosave Before Run

When activated the project will save automatically each time a simulation is run.

Enter Simulation Name Before Simulation is Run

When activated a window appears before a simulations is run where the name of the simulation can be entered.