VDI AWARDS 31
Visit our
website for details
of previous years’
winners
Runners up:
• Kistler digital transducer interface
• Ansible Motion simulator
• AB Dynamics driving simulator
• MSC Adams-ready VTD
May/June 2020 • VehicleDynamicsInternational.com
Runners up:
• Ford
• Lamborghini
• McLaren
Development Tool of the Year
From simulation to durability assessment, software to lab machinery, the Development Tool of the Year
category recognises innovation in creating tools that help vehicle dynamicists achieve automotive excellence
Winner: AB Dynamics
ANVH 250
The low noise levels of EVs have led to drivers
demanding improved levels of NVH from the
suspension and driveline, which in turn means
that vehicle manufacturers need to ascertain NVH
issues earlier in the design process and over a
greater operating range.
In response to these changing OEM engineering
needs, AB Dynamics’ axle-level NVH rig, the
ANVH 250, accurately measures the transmission
of vibrations up to 250Hz from a vehicle’s wheel
hubs, through the suspension springs and
dampers, to the suspension mounting points,
linkages, anti-roll bars and elastomeric bushes.
The test rig features a stiff frame design that
works in combination high-frequency linear
actuators, which have been specifi cally designed
for this application. The direct-acting electric
linear actuators enable what the company claims
is a unique range of frequency, displacement
and load, while also being safer to operate than
hydraulic systems because there is less stored
energy in the system.
With an axle installed, two sets of three
actuators apply precise motion to each hub at
frequencies from 0-250Hz and displacements
from +/-0.01 to +/-50mm, while tri-axial load
cells measure the forces transmitted to each
vehicle attachment point. The ANVH 250 can
apply a range of sinusoidal, random input and
road-load data displacements to the axle system.
Displacements can be applied to the wheel
hubs in pairs or individually in the vertical (Z),
longitudinal (X) or lateral (Y) directions, and the
paired displacements at the hubs can be in phase
or in anti-phase.
In short, the ability to assess a suspension at
the early design stage over such a large frequency
range helps avoid expensive NVH fi xes at the
later stages of a vehicle development programme,
reducing overall vehicle cost and accelerating
product time-to-market.
components, joining methods, and side
panels made entirely of aluminium.
The team has also developed the Wet
Mode assistance system, which can
detect signifi cantly wet road conditions
and includes a Wet driving programme
that can be selected manually to support
the driver in bad weather conditions.
Acoustic sensors in the front wheel
houses detect the amount of spray that
has been swirled up and can thus decode
the road conditions, helping reduce the
risks of aquaplaning.
/VehicleDynamicsInternational.com