Mechanical Simulation's BikeSim 2 Offers Entirely New Architecture

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 28, 2008 – Mechanical Simulation Corporation has released BikeSim® 2, an extensively upgraded version of its motorcycle vehicle dynamics program that includes hundreds of revisions and new features.

A large number of improvements to BikeSim are provided by the adoption of the new VehicleSim® simulation architecture (introduced with CarSim® 7 in 2007). The new math models maintain the high efficiency with third-party software such as Simulink, providing excellent backward compatibility with BikeSim 1.

BikeSim is vehicle dynamics software that analyzes a wide range of vehicle responses to such rider inputs as control, steering, suspension, lean, braking, tire dynamics and throttle. The system also incorporates such environmental factors as aerodynamics, road geometry and friction for a variety of simulations. VehicleSim is a simulation technology that includes a command language for extending the model at run time.

“BikeSim 2 involves a substantial improvement in the simulation environment,” explained Yukio Watanabe, vehicle dynamicist with Mechanical Simulation. “Utilizing VehicleSim makes BikeSim’s graphical user interface (GUI) easy to use for new users and easily customized and further automated by experienced users. Variables such as steering torque can function in a variety of modes and be calculated or changed at run time.”

In BikeSim 2, the VehicleSim-based math models are even more extendible by users at runtime. All model parameters can be specified with symbolic equations based on other parameters (while they can still be specified with numbers). Users can add new output variables, controllers and automation options at runtime, with no external software. Many modeling details can be adjusted at runtime, such as the use of tables and unit-systems. However, users with external software still have options that have also been extended in BikeSim 2. The models communicate with a standard application program interface (API) that is well documented and can be used to connect with nearly any simulation environment.

In addition to the new VehicleSim capabilities, many improvements were made in the motorcycle multi-body model. Suspension models have full nonlinear kinematical behavior that can support various types of suspension kinematics. The interaction between the steering system and the suspension has been redone, with more detail for accurate 3D kinematics over the full range of design options. New tire models are included: the TO Delft-Tyre model and a non-linear table lookup tire mode. Control of the rider upper-body movement has been extended.

With these improvements in the math models, according to Watanabe, BikeSim 2 can represent nearly all existing motorcycle suspension / steering designs, and can simulate many of the complicated scenarios needed in the modern motorcycle development process.

BikeSim 2 is available for testing and purchase. Contact Mechanical Simulation at 1.734.668.2930 or visit www.carsim.com for more information.