In olden times, auto engineering was largely done with a pad and pencil, fabricating parts by hand and performing a lot of test trials. Nowadays, automotive engineering (AE) software reigns supreme. Today’s software is extremely powerful, reliable and fast. Problems that took weeks or months to solve can now be solved in minutes using high-powered computer programs. AE software can do everything from testing the rollover ability of a Dodge truck to designing a stronger BMW control arm for the next generation of vehicles.
AE software has become highly specialized. There are programs to assist with many elements of vehicle engineering, including mechanical, electronic, electrical and safety systems. There is even software that writes the software incorporated into onboard computers.
Safety engineering is highly dependent on computerized crash simulation software that performs finite element analysis. Cars and crash test dummies are equipped with thousands of sensors to relay crash information to computer programs that analyze a vehicle’s response to collision forces. Seat belt software decides when it is proper to arm and deploy bags, taking into account the presence and weight of passengers.
Computer-aided design and manufacturing greatly aid the development of car parts by designing to strict tolerances and testing for tensile strength and durability. If you ever examined first-class hardware, such as BMW parts, you can immediately sense that a great deal of refinement has been applied to each piece. The result is optimal function at less cost.
Software to simulate vehicle dynamics is extremely important in working out the ride, braking, handling, steering and traction attributes of vehicles. Engineers use computers to design car chassis systems (suspension, frame, wheels, tires and steering) that provide the qualities envisioned by the car designers.
Another area where software is vital is in designing vehicles with a minimum of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Sound and vibration sensors are deployed throughout the car body and feed data to real-time programs that identify buzzes, squeals, vibrations, and any other undesirable characteristics. This information is use to refine the geometry and placement of systems and parts within the vehicle. You might discover the need for stronger bushings or additional padding via NVH software.
Overall car performance is recorded and analyzed by software that measure parameters such as acceleration, braking, grip, cornering speeds, and a host of additional information. Software helps improve shift quality, fuel economy, corrosion resistance, drivability and cost. Today, even the least expensive new cars benefit from sophisticated computer software to reduce development time and cost, allowing manufacturers to offer good products at reasonable prices.