OptimumK 1.1
Designing and setting up a car is hard work. Kinematics software shouldn’t be. OptimumK was developed by engineers after years of clients and customers asking similar car handling questions who had similar challenges of suspension design. OptimumK is specifically designed with a user-friendly interface that makes the process of computer aided suspension design and analysis faster and more convenient.
We invite you to try a free trial of OptimumK and experience the software’s:
Intuitive user-friendly layout that is split into three sections – design, motion and analysis – and enables you to work faster and smarter.
Flexibility by allowing users:
- to choose any input and output coordinate systems,
- select symmetric or asymmetric suspension point input,
- have the option to roll and pitch chasses around a moving, fixed or custom-designed rotation axis, and
- specify simultaneous steering, heave, pitch and roll motions.
Quality 3-D graphic display that allows for easy visualization of the design.
Accuracy with over 400 data channels which can be plotted against each other or tabulated in a report. Users can overlay and compare results from multiple design iterations in graphs and report tables. OptimumK has also been successfully tested against the leading CAD software packages.
Direct application to car design and setup.
More Features of OptimumK
Easy to Use Interface and Graphic Display
OptimumK includes a high quality three-dimensional graphic display that allows for easy visualization of the design.
OptimumK Layout
OptimumK is split up into three sections: Design, Motion, and Analysis. All the suspension coordinates for the control arms, tie rods, springs, dampers, rockers and anti-roll bars are inputted in the Design section. Suspension designs can also be imported and exported using Microsoft Excel. A motion that will be applied to a suspension is defined in the motion section. This motion can consist of Roll, Pitch, Heave and Steering, either individually or simultaneous combined together. The results from a suspension design that under goes a motion are analyzed in the Analysis section. In the Analysis section graphs, reports and three dimensional animations can be generated of over 400 calculated variables.
Suspension Types
OptimumK currently has the following suspension types with more to come in future updates :
| Front Suspensions | Rear Suspensions | Spring Actuation | Anti-Roll Bars |
|---|---|---|---|
Double A-Arm |
Double A-Arm |
Direct Actuation |
U-Bar |
Mac Pherson |
Mac Pherson |
Push/Pull Rod |
U-Bar with Rocker |
Nascar |
Nascar |
Separate Damper |
T-Bar |
V8 Supercar |
Monoshock |
T-Bar for Monoshock |
|
T-Bar with Third Spring |
And even more!
Import - Export OptimumK allows the user to import and export suspension designs, motions as well as graphs and channel reports. CAD Integration The coordinate points for a suspension design can be exported to a Microsoft Excel file to allow for easy integration with CAD software. Link with Data Acquisition OptimumK can import a motion from data acquisition software whether it be a one corner or a whole lap. This motion can then be used to analyze a suspension. Overlay Data Multiple suspension design iterations can be designed in OptimumK and then the data can be overlaid and compared using graphs and reports. 3D Animation The high quality 3D Animation can be rotated, paned, zoomed and animated with a motion to give a better understanding of how the suspension is operating. |
Common Project File All suspension design iterations, motions as well as the graphs and reports used to analyze the results can be stored in one file allowing for easy storage and sharing. Combined Motions OptimumK can apply four motion types to a suspension, Roll, Pitch, Heave and Steering. These motions can be used individually or simultaneously combined together. Analysis of Results OptimumK outputs over 400 data channels which can be plotted against each other or tabulated in a report. these data channels can also be exported to Microsoft Excel. Chassis Movement OptimumK simulates suspension movement by moving and rotating the chassis. The chassis can be rotated about a moving, fixed or user defined roll and pitch axis. Accuracy OptimumK has been successfully tested against the leading CAD packages. It has also been successfully tested by leading professional race teams. Easy to Use Help file The help file not only contains information on how to use the software but also tips and tricks to help the user design and setup their suspension to its full potential |
Universities Using OptimumK
Over 100 universities already agree that OptimumK is the fastest and most convenient method for suspension design and analysis. Already being incorporated in classroom settings and used by professional race car teams, OptimumK is on the market for $1,695 USD but student teams can secure a license for $395 USD. Floating licenses are also available for classroom settings and vehicle dynamic teaching purposes. To obtain a student license, please fill out our online form.
Downloads
You can download a free 14-day trial version of OptimumK. There are restrictions on saving, loading and importing, exporting of suspension designs, motions and analysis tools.
Purchase our unlimited OptimumK licence without a time expiration period. Our secure purchase page will send you an email with an activation key and a link to download the software.
A heavily discounted version of OptimumK is available to Formula SAE/Student teams. In order to receive the discount, please fill out our application form.
These are the extra software components that are required to run OptimumK. All these programs are free to download except Microsoft Excel which comes with Microsoft Office.
Microsoft .NET Framework |
Microsoft DirectX |
Microsoft Excel |
|---|---|---|
OptimumK requires Microsoft .NET version 2.0 or higher. In most cases this is installed with windows.
|
OptimumK requires Microsoft DirectX version 9c or higher. In most cases this is installed with windows. |
Microsoft Excel is required to import and export designs, motions and output data. |
Adobe Acrobat |
Internet Explorer |
Windows Media Player |
|---|---|---|
Adobe Acrobat version 7.0 or higher is required to view the help file in pdf format.
|
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher is required to view the help file. |
Windows Media Player version 9 or higher is required to view the tutorial video |
More Information
If you have any questions about OptimumK, do not hesitate to contact us at engineering@optimumg.com or +1 303 752 1562
