Standard multi-body system software in the vehicle development process

Abstract

In the developmental processes of a complex product, such as a passenger car, simulation software tools are used today to such an extent that the notion of a ‘virtual development process’ is justified, paralleling the hardware-based development process. In conjunction with several other software tools, a multi-body software system (MBS) can be an integral part of the virtual process, covering the area of suspension analysis and vehicle dynamics, provided it is tailored to the specific needs of the product, the software users, and the industrial organization. This article describes these needs by showing the context in which MBS is used, its interface with other tools, and the expectations of the users and concludes with an assessment of the current state.