SUSPENSION DESIGNING

[ARIJ]

Hey guys we are a newbie team from Pakistan planning to compete in Formula Student2012.
We are facing problem in evaluating the best possible suspension geometry for our car.For this purpose we have decided to first make an approximate 3d model of each suspension component and link it to excel and run that excel file on OptimumK software and analyse it simulation and motion graphs and keep changing or optimizing the geometry of suspension components until everything runs perfectly...
Just wanted to know if our approach is correct and what you guys are doing?

(sorry for my bad english)
Muhammad Arij
Team Leader
Formula Nust
http://www.facebook.com/groups/139029286156969/

[JT A.]

The only problem is that if you keep "optimizing" until everything runs "perfectly", you will never finish.

A more realistic approach is to prioritize the most important characteristics, decide on an acceptable range of target values for those characteristics. This is the hardest part.

Once you have clear goals determined, you can start tweaking things in your kinematics software until you meet your goals. Then move on to the rest of your design.

[Big Mo]

Hello and welcome! Dont worry, your english is pretty clear.

I agree with what JT A is saying. You will reach a point where it may be impossible to "optimize" a parameter, or its just not worth the time/effort.

Keep in mind that suspension design, especially kinematics, is always a compromise.