DAF Simulates to Optimize Diesel Engine Performance

August 3rd, 2005

DAF Trucks N.V., a Netherlands-based manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles will begin using LMS Virtual.Lab Motion software to simulate and optimize the dynamic performance of its diesel engines. A subsidiary of Paccar Inc., DAF Trucks will use LMS Virtual.Lab in designing various configurations of diesel engines for their own commercial vehicles as well as for third-party applications such as buses, coaches and power generators.

The software will allow DAF engineers to predict key engine attributes including torsion vibrations on the crankshaft and camshaft, flywheel whirl, bearing loads and camshaft torque. They can also evaluate dynamic stresses throughout the powertrain system and study engine vibrations and analyze potential sources of noise problems. In this way, DAF Trucks can quickly evaluate the performance envelope of different engine configurations and balance often-conflicting requirements including drive power, fuel consumption, weight, reliability, structural vibration and engine sound - all done without expensive and time-consuming prototype testing.

Eric van Velthooven, aresearch engineer at DAF Trucks, said “The software enables us to accurately simulate complex engine mechanisms and to quickly identify and correct potential problem areas up front in design.”

According to van Velthooven, the use of parameterized models of powertrain subsystems such as the gear train, camshaft, flywheel, and hyrdo-dynamic bearings allows engineers to easily modify designs and quickly evaluate alternatives. Tight integration provided by LMS Virtual.Lab between motion simulation and other simulation disciplines supports DAF in assessing the overall impact of these design modifications on engine performance, vibration and fatigue life.

“With LMS Virtual.Lab Noise and Vibration, dynamic loads from motion simulation can be readily applied to a complete engine assembly model. As a result, we can accurately assess the NVH performance of a specific engine configuration and eliminate the root causes of specific noise or vibration problems,” explained Eric van Velthooven. “The integration of key simulation processes and disciplines in LMS Virtual.Lab allows us to gain valuable insight into the key performance attributes early in development and to efficiently configure our engines for specific applications. From a business perspective, faster turnaround of refined designs for multiple product configurations gives us an advantage we can certainly leverage in the globally competitive diesel engine market.”

For more information, visit the LMS International website.

Entry Filed under: Powertrain Test, Simulation