adams tracked vehicle toolkit integration with comet...

MSC Software Confidential

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited, LogNo 2013-27, 04 APR 2013



ADAMS Tracked Vehicle Toolkit

Integration with Comet Software 2013 Regional User Conference

Presented By: Michael Patterson

May 14, 2013


Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited, LogNo 2013-27, 04 APR 2013 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited, LogNo 2013-27, 04 APR 2013

• General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS)

has developed an automated process to

evaluate vehicle dynamic performance

– Utilizes an in-house standard parameter database

– Integrates ADAMS Tracked Vehicle Toolkit (ATV)

– Manages simulation input and output data as well as simulation models

– Provides the ability for collaboration among analysts

– Provides data pedigree and performance metrics against system

requirements

• Comet Solutions enabled this robust process through the Comet

Workspace

Introduction

2



• Prior to development of this process, single-point solutions were

used to provide required analysis on vehicle programs

• The single-point solution followed a standard analysis process

– Identify input parameters to the simulation

– Update performance models based on input parameters and vehicle

design

– Perform the analysis

– Gather output data and develop analysis reports

– Archive analysis files and analysis report in a standard PLM Database

Standard Analysis Process

3



• While the standard analysis process was adequate for low-

frequency analysis tasks, several shortcomings were identified

– Cumbersome model development

– Disjointed input and output

– Susceptible to user error

• A list of needs was developed to address process shortcomings

– Manage simulation data

– Provide quick analysis turn-around

– Apply consistent analysis processes

– Provide a robust process that can adapt to programmatic changes

Identified Needs

4



• Manage simulation data

– Provide an environment to capture analysis input and output data

– Manage simulation models and environment variables

– Provide a data pedigree between the inputs and outputs

• Provide quick analysis turn-around

– Accelerate the execution of multiple runs

– Support trade studies and design excursion evaluations

• Apply consistent analysis processes

– Apply best practices to each analysis task

– Provide a standard format for input and output data sets

• Provide a robust process that can adapt to programmatic changes

– Flexible process that can be applied when the design significantly changes

– Process that can be applied to multiple programs with little modification

Details of Identified Needs

5



• Comet provides a collaborative, model-based engineering

workspace

– Captures simulation best practices

– Enhances design and engineering software tools (both COTS and in-

house)

– Enables geometry-independent, multi-physics modeling and simulation

process automation

• Links product simulation activities to key product performance

requirements through Comet Intelligent Templates

Comet Software

6



• Capture and reuse engineering

IP/best practices with Comet

Intelligent Templates

• Enable design innovation via multi-

disciplinary concept trade studies

• Ensure accuracy and consistency of

simulation results

• Complete audit trail of project

models, processes used and results

vs requirements

• Collaborate across the project team

via the Project Dashboard

Benefits of the Comet Workspace

7



Process Overview

8

CAD Subsystem Performance

Mass Properties

System Requirements

Parameter Database

Comet Workspace

ADAMS Dynamic Model

ADAMS 2011

A/Car with ATV

Obstacle Performance

Ride Performance

Ramp Performance

6-Watt Results

2.5g Results

An automated process for performing standard ADAMS

dynamic analyses was developed using Comet



• Mass Properties

– Component weights, CoGs, and inertias

– Multiple sources (CAD, Mass Properties Group, Vendors)

• Subsystem Performance

– Powertrain performance

– Contact parameters (between track and track holder elements)

• CAD

– Geometric locations (road wheels, idler, sprocket, driver’s seat location)

• System Requirements

– Ride Requirements (absorbed power, vertical shock, vibration dose value)

– Performance-based (step climbs, gap crossing)

• The process input data is gathered into a Process Database for use on multiple

simulation tasks

Process Input Data

9



• The Process Database is known as

the Systems Analysis Key Parameters

(SAKP)

– Gathers input data in one file

– Performs calculations to derive secondary

input parameters

– Managed in Microsoft Excel

• The SAKP can be used for multiple

simulations and domains

– Dynamic Analysis

– Power / Energy Analysis

– Thermal Analysis

– …

Systems Analysis Key Parameters

10



• Standard ATV Database

• Contains templates for each tracked

vehicle component

– Road wheels / Road arms

– Track

– Idler

– Sprocket

– Chassis

• Contains standard property files for

different components

– Track Adjusting Link (TAL) properties

– Jounce and rebound stop properties

ADAMS Tracked Vehicle Toolkit Database

11



• Parameterization of the ATV

database is achieved through an

ADAMS preprocessor command file

• The command file can assemble a

vehicle on-the-fly from database

subsystems and set parameter

values

• Provides a link between the generic

ATV database and the program-

specific vehicle assembly

• The Comet Workspace populates the

command file with data from the

SAKP

Parameterization of Database

12



• The Comet

Workspace Process

defines the inputs to

the ADAMS process,

defines the process

execution flow, and

defines the outputs

captured back to the

Comet Workspace

Comet Workspace ADAMS Process

13



• Road data files can be imported

into the Comet Workspace

• Available road files are displayed

in the Comet Workspace

• Soil files are defined in a similar

way

• This implementation gives the

analyst freedom to use either

pre-defined road courses or new

road courses

Environment Variables – Roads and Soil

14



• ADAMS 3D Road Parameters

are set through the Comet

Workspace

• Solver settings are defined

through the Comet

Workspace

– Allows modification of solver

settings for each simulation

– Solver settings are saved with

the simulation for future

reference

Environment Variables – Road and Solver

Settings

15

Comet Dashboard



• The simulation is executed

through the Comet Process

Schematic

– All or parts of the process may

be executed

• After a successful run the

Project Dashboard will

update with the newly

calculated results

Execution of Analysis

16



• The Project Dashboard will show

the results of the simulation

– Certain metrics are updated

automatically

• Results are also available

through the Process Schematic

– Plot Results can be viewed

• The complete set of ADAMS

Requests for the simulation can

also be examined through the

Comet Workspace

Process Output

17



• The Comet Workspace manages all simulation data

– Process inputs

• Road and soil files

• SAKP input file

• System Requirements

– Process outputs

• Defined process metrics through the Comet Dashboard

• Simulation request files

– Simulation and intermediate files

• ADAMS input files (.acf, .adm)

• Binary file of the assembled Comet vehicle

• All these files are available to the analyst for review or external use

Generated and Managed Data

18



• Significant time savings are seen through the application of this process

– Reduced model development time (from 50% to 75%)

– Reduced evaluation time of simulation results

– Reduced effort for simulation re-use

• Reduced learning curve for analysts

– Do not need to be experts in ATV to execute process

– Allows process development by subject experts and execution by floor analysts

• Process does not reduce ADAMS simulation time, so savings are seen

in pre and post processing, repeatability, and data audit trails (pedigree)

Return on Investment

19



• NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM) is

a USG program suite used to evaluate

vehicle performance

– Absorbed power and Vertical shock module

– Obstacle performance module

– % No Go over terrain module

– Required by various vehicle programs

• A Comet Process has been developed to

evaluate vehicle designs with this

software

– Leverages the same data set as the ADAMS

process (SAKP)

– Both processes can be managed under the

same Comet Workspace

Other Integrated Processes - NRMM

20



• Manual process for NRMM analysis is tedious and prone to mistakes

– Multiple input files for multiple modules must be developed and must be consistent

– Manual development of input files are time consuming

• The Comet NRMM Process generates input files for each module from a

common data source and automatically executes the analysis in the

correct order

– Reduces model development time up to 80%

• Results are displayed to the Comet Dashboard for easy evaluation

NRMM Return on Investment

21



• Other areas that may be integrated into the Comet process

– Matlab integration

• Vehicle Power / Energy Models (fuel efficiency, energy generation)

• Vehicle automotive analysis (dash time, hard surface and cross country speed)

– LS-DYNA Mine Blast Analysis

• Seat performance requirements

• Crew survivability metrics (tibia forces, Dynamic Response Index (DRI))

– MuSES Thermal Analysis

Future Integration Opportunities

22



• General Dynamics Land Systems and Comet Solutions have developed

an integrated process for vehicle analysis that provides:

– Faster model development

– Data and project management

– Quick evaluation of simulation results against system requirements

– Application of engineering best practices

• The process is expandable across simulation domains and flexible to

programmatic changes

• The process provides faster evaluation of vehicle configurations and

provides a data pedigree between inputs and outputs across different

simulation domains

Conclusion

23



• The author would like to thank the following people for their

assistance and hard work developing this solution:

– Malcolm Panthaki, Founder, CTO and VP Customer Success, Comet

Solutions

– Don Tolle, Vice President – Strategy and Solutions, Comet Solutions

– Scott McDougall, Application Engineer, Comet Solutions

– Brian Edwards, Developer, Comet Solutions

Acknowledgements

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