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On July 9th ABD?s Technical Director, Dr. Stephen Neads met with Dr. Saurabh Dalela in New Delhi, India, to sign the contract with NATRiP for the supply of a two wheel station SPMM 4000.

The SPMM will be part of a prestigious new vehicle dynamics test facility at NATRAX in Indore, India. The facility is part of the Indian government sponsored National Automotive Testing R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP).

The order was placed with ABD following a rigorous tendering process that compared the technical and commercial benefits of the SPMM to that of competitor machines. Installation is scheduled for Summer 2011.

The SR60 Torus motor uses a direct drive continuous rotation brushless motor with low friction bearing and the system requires no gears or clutches. The vehicle can be driven manually between tests using the integrated steering rim.

The performance envelope of the motor is similar to ABD?s conventional SR60 motor and is designed to exceed the specification requirements of NHTSA?s fishhook and FMVSS126 tests that require a maximum of 60Nm@1200deg/s. The Torus motor is compatible with ABD?s Omni and Mono in-vehicle controllers and can be used in conjunction with ABD?s brake, accelerator, clutch and gear change robots.

The new SR60 Torus model and the existing SR60 model both complement the SR30 steering robot, the smallest other model in the range which is designed to match the performance of a typical human driver. The peak torques of the SR60 Torus and SR60 robots are approximately twice that of the SR30 and are therefore ideal for use in heavy-duty applications that may require high speed and torque, such as the NHTSA rollover and stability control tests. In addition to these three models, ABD can offer steering robots with torque outputs up to 150 Nm that can be engineered to suit different customer requirements.

Like all ABD steering robots, the SR60 Torus is designed to apply accurate and repeatable inputs to a vehicle?s steering system for testing its transient handling behaviour on the test track or for evaluating the steering system itself. A wide range of test profiles can be played out to the vehicle?s steering system with very precise control, making direct comparisons between vehicles easy. A database is used to store the test definitions and specific vehicle information for each vehicle tested and to keep track of stored results.

The software enables the driver to define and run new tests quickly and easily by choosing from a library of standard tests designed to meet NHTSA and ISO 7401 requirements. These include single sine, sine sweep, step and ramp inputs. Test profiles can be recorded from direct driver input using a learn mode, or played out from data stored in an ASCII file. The robot can also follow an external analogue voltage input.

The SR60 Torus steering robot can also be used with ABD?s Path Following option, which uses a GPS-corrected motion pack to give real-time feedback on vehicle position and heading, and hence enables the robot to control the vehicle to follow a pre-defined path.

Anthony Best Dynamics have supplied over 170 robot systems since 1988 to customers throughout the world, for use in passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and buses. They ensure that accurate and repeatable inputs are generated, overcoming a problem inherent in traditional manual testing methods, making it easy to obtain meaningful comparisons between different vehicles and vehicle configurations.

Capable of being used for both dynamic and quasi-static testing, the new SPMM 4000 HS has replaced the K&C equipment previously used at Higashi-Fuji and provides the experienced team there with a state-of-the-art system providing the very latest features for K&C testing. For example, the SPMM 4000 HS uses the new ABD Dynamic Arm wheel position measurement system that not only allows Toyota engineers to carry out dynamic K&C testing, but is also the only wheel position measurement system currently available that can meet the accuracy requirements specified by Toyota.

Utilising five high resolution rotary encoders and two high resolution linear encoders, the ABD Dynamic Arm has a dynamic measurement capability of 5 Hz, with measurement accuracies at 2 Hz of:
? 0.02 mm or better for displacements of up to ?10 mm and 0.05 mm or better for larger displacements up to ?75 mm
? 0.004? or better for steer, wheel spin and wheel camber displacements of up to ?1? and 0.01? or better for larger angles up to ?1?

To meet Toyota?s high frequency, high speed testing requirements, the SPMM 4000 HS incorporates a new high speed version of the centre table ?Rollaram? actuators. The new actuators provide the system with the capacity to move at higher speeds whilst keeping the high stiffness and low levels of hysteresis and backlash that are required for high accuracy quasi static testing.

The SPMM 4000 HS also features new motors and amplifiers for many of its actuators to provide the power needed to drive the rig at the speeds and frequencies specified by Toyota. Again this required careful design and testing work by ABD in order to maintain zero backlash and low cogging levels.

A number of software and control system developments have been made in the SPMM 4000 HS to meet Toyota?s requirements. The provision of automatic wheel plate alignment compensation simplifies the vehicle set up procedure, reducing set up time and improving measurement accuracy. In addition, ABD had to utilize adaptive control techniques to enable horizontal plane wheel forces to be controlled at up to 5 Hz.

Other features that increase the capacity of the Toyota SPMM 4000 HS include the large roll pitch bounce table extenders, which enable vehicles with bigger wheelbases to be fixed securely to the SPMM table. The large extenders increase the table width from 1700 to 2375 mm. The wheel station X tables have also been extended, which together with modifications made to the centre table allows the Toyota SPMM to test vehicles with a wheelbase of up to 4540 mm. In addition wheel pan extenders have been provided for the rear wheel stations that allow vehicles (typically small trucks) with twin wheels on the rear axle to be tested.

The four wheel station version of the SPMM 4000 HS at Toyota can measure both axles of a vehicle simultaneously and provides a fast turnaround of just a few hours for producing a full suite of suspension and steering measurements for a vehicle.

In operation, the SPMM 4000 HS automatically subjects the suspension and steering of a vehicle to a variety of forces and displacements and measures the effects. The SPMM 4000 HS records the wheel displacements and the forces and moments occurring at the tyre to road interface, caused by bounce, roll and pitch of the vehicle body and also by the application of simulated cornering, braking and traction forces. These include the kinematic characteristics due to suspension and steering system geometries, and compliances due to suspension springs, anti-roll bars, elastomeric bushes and component deformations.

Using the new SPMM 4000 HS system, Toyota are now measuring a large number of parameters under quasi static and dynamic test conditions, including suspension kinematic characteristics such as bump-steer and roll-steer, and suspension compliance characteristics such as suspension rates and roll stiffness. The K&C characteristics of the steering system are also measured.

Volvo Cars have been using steering robots manufactured by Anthony Best Dynamics (ABD) since 2001 to perform repeatable vehicle dynamics manoeuvres on the test track. ABD steering robots enable very accurate steering inputs to be applied to the vehicle. Typical inputs include sinusoids, steps, and special inputs for rollover and spin-out testing.

A typical test requires the vehicle to be driven accurately around a circle of radius 100m. A combination of steering, braking, and throttle inputs are then applied to the vehicle whilst cornering and the response of the vehicle is measured.

These tests are very susceptible to driver variability as it is difficult to maintain an accurate circular path and apply repeatable braking and throttle inputs. Consequently with human drivers the test requires a very large area of track to allow complete circles to be driven.

Volvo have purchased three steering, braking, and throttle robot systems from ABD together with the path following upgrade to enable cornering tests to be conducted with high repeatability using less track area.

ABD?s path following system uses a GPS corrected motion pack with 2cm accuracy to steer the vehicle along the test path. The approach path and circular profile are defined in absolute ground coordinates to maximise the utilisation of the limited test area available.

ABD?s throttle and brake robots are used to control the vehicle speed during the manoeuvre with a typical accuracy of 0.1km/h. At a predefined point along the path, once the vehicle has achieved steady state cornering conditions, any combination of steering, braking, and throttle input can be applied to the vehicle.

The new SPMM at Mitsubishi is the second system of this type to be installed in Japan. This latest order reflects the expanding global market for suspension measurement machines in which ABD is one of the leading players in the world.

The new system at Mitsubishi is a top-of-the-range, four wheel station SPMM incorporating the very latest state-of-the-art equipment and test options resulting from ABD?s continuous development programme for the SPMM. With four wheel stations, the Mitsubishi SPMM can measure both axles of a vehicle simultaneously and is equipped with ABD?s Moment of Inertia Measurement System (MIMS) to provide additional measurements for the centre of gravity and inertial properties of vehicle bodies.

In operation, the SPMM subjects the suspension and steering of a vehicle to a variety of forces and displacements and measures the effects. These inputs are applied slowly, so as not to generate significant damping or inertial forces. Electro-mechanically operated, fully automated and computer controlled, the SPMM is capable of completing a full suite of suspension and steering measurements in hours rather than days.

The SPMM records the wheel displacements and the forces and moments occurring at the tyre to road interface, caused by bounce, roll and pitch of the vehicle body and also by the application of simulated cornering, braking and traction forces.

The SPMM measures the quasi-static suspension characteristics that are important to ride and handling in a wide range of vehicles from the smallest passenger cars to light trucks and MPVs. These include the kinematic characteristics due to suspension and steering system geometries, and compliances due to suspension springs, anti-roll bars, elastomeric bushes and component deformations.

A large number of parameters may be evaluated, the principal ones being suspension rates and hysteresis, bump-steer, roll-steer, roll stiffness distribution, longitudinal and lateral compliance steer and steering system characteristics. Knowledge of these parameter values and characteristics is an essential aid to the thorough understanding of a vehicle?s performance in terms of steering, handling and ride.

The new installation at Mitsubishi joins SPMMs from ABD installed around the world at manufacturers and research organisations in the United States, Europe and Asia, some of which have been in operation for over ten years, providing essential suspension data for many thousands of vehicles.

Anthony Best Dynamics (ABD) of Wiltshire in England has won a prestigious order from Mazda Motor Corporation of Japan for a new Suspension Parameter Measurement Machine (SPMM). The new SPMM will be installed at Mazda?s headquarters at Hiroshima in western Japan.

The new four wheel station SPMM at Mazda will be able to measure both axles of a vehicle simultaneously and will form an extension to the company?s research and development work in Hiroshima. Electro-mechanically operated, fully automated and computer controlled, the SPMM is capable of completing a full suite of suspension and steering measurements in hours rather than days.

This latest order reflects the expanding global market for suspension measurement machines in which ABD is one of the leading players in the world. SPMMs from ABD have been in operation for over ten years at a number of sites in the United States, UK, Europe and Korea, providing essential suspension data for many thousands of vehicles.

The new SPMM purchased by Mazda incorporates the very latest state-of-the-art equipment and test options resulting from ABD?s continuous development programme for the SPMM.

In operation, the SPMM subjects the suspension and steering of a vehicle to a variety of forces and displacements and measures the effects. These inputs are applied slowly, so as not to generate significant damping or inertial forces.

The SPMM records the wheel displacements and the forces and moments occurring at the tyre to road interface, caused by bounce, roll and pitch of the vehicle body and also by the application of simulated cornering, braking and traction forces.

The SPMM measures the quasi-static suspension characteristics that are important to ride and handling in a wide range of vehicle from the smallest passenger cars to light trucks and MPVs. These include the kinematic characteristics due to suspension and steering system geometries, and compliances due to suspension springs, anti-roll bars, elastomeric bushes and component deformations.

A large number of parameters may be evaluated, the principal ones being suspension rates and hysteresis, bump-steer, roll-steer, roll stiffness distribution, longitudinal and lateral compliance steer and steering system characteristics. Knowledge of these parameter values and characteristics is an essential aid to the thorough understanding of a vehicle?s performance in terms of steering, handling and ride.

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Morse Measurements, LLC has purchased a new state-of-the-art Suspension Parameter Measurement Machine (SPMM) from Anthony Best Dynamics (ABD), based in Wiltlshire in the United Kingdom. Kinematics and Compliance (K&C) testing using the SPMM will form the centrepiece of Morse Measurements? new automotive testing centre due to open doors in October 2005 in North Carolina, USA. The new centre is believed to be the first truly public suspension K&C test facility in North America.

Phil Morse, President of Morse Measurements, LLC, said: ?The SPMM from ABD was selected after a very thorough examination of K&C measurement systems available on the world market. The fast performance of the SPMM will allow us to offer full-vehicle K&C testing with rapid turnaround, combined with our testing experience and unique data processing techniques. Many race teams, automotive companies and research organisations have already expressed interest in our K&C testing service?.

Morse Measurements, LLC has purchased a four wheel station SPMM, enabling two axles to be measured simultaneously. Electro-mechanically operated, fully automated and computer controlled, the SPMM machine is capable of completing a full suite of suspension and steering measurements in hours rather than days. The SPMM can measure the pseudo-static suspension K&C characteristics of a wide range of vehicles from the smallest passenger cars to light trucks and MPVs.

Phil Morse added: ?We plan to test and commission the SPMM at ABD in England, then disassemble and ship it to the US. Final installation and acceptance testing will be completed at our new North Carolina facility. With an anticipated 13 month machine build time, we will have ample time to select and prepare our facility, refine our software and test protocols and accommodate any special customer requirements?.
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In operation, the SPMM subjects the suspension and steering of a vehicle to a variety of forces and displacements and measures the effects. These inputs are applied slowly, so as not to generate significant damping or inertial forces. The SPMM measures the wheel displacements and the forces and moments occurring at the tyre to road interface, caused by bounce, roll and pitch of the vehicle body and also by the application of simulated cornering, braking and traction forces.

The SPMM meets an industry requirement to reduce the time from concept to manufacturing a new vehicle, with increased use of computer analysis and prediction techniques. SPMMs from ABD have been in continuous operation for over six years at sites in the United States and Europe, with thousands of vehicles having been tested. Over this period, ongoing development work by ABD has resulted in a number of enhancements to the design of the SPMM.

The top-of-the-range, four wheel station SPMM machine purchased by Morse Measurements, LLC is part of a family of five K&C testing machines from ABD to suit a range of budgets for a multitude of suspension and steering measurement applications across a wide range of vehicles including cars, trucks and off-road and recreational vehicles.


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