The tire is a complex and highly non-linear vehicle component that has a significant effect on the behavior of a vehicle. As the number of vehicle models on the market continues increasing, so does the number of possible use cases that need to be tested and validated. This fact, in combination with everlasting strive for reduced development times, calls for ever more simulation instead of physical vehicle testing.

Modelling tire performance requires a lot of expertise and specialization. For this purpose, Simcenter™ offers engineers scalable and customized solutions. The ultimate goal of Simcenter™ Tire software is to accurately represent tire forces and moments, so they can be propagated to various vehicle performance simulations.

Accurately represent tire performance to predict important vehicle aspects such as directional stability, braking distance, and ride comfort. Simcenter Tire enables engineers to effectively and precisely model the highly non-linear tire component. This will allow them to analyze the vehicle behavior better and earlier, reducing development time.

Simcenter Tire features an end-to-end solution for modeling tires, for vehicle applications ranging from vehicle handling to durability. With ongoing technological developments and a global team of tire modeling engineers, Simcenter is enabling the industry to take the next steps in virtual vehicle developments.

Simcenter Tire includes the MF-Tyre/MF-Swift tire model, the MF-Tool tire model parameter tool, and tire testing and engineering services. By combining those elements, Simcenter can deliver customized tire modeling methodologies, providing the optimal balance between simulation accuracy and cost-efficiency. The solution has proven success with numerous vehicle OEMs around the globe.

MF-Swift

Analyze all vehicle dynamics using an all-in-one tire model. Simcenter MF-Swift extends MF-Tyre with turn slip modeling, tire belt dynamics and generic 3D obstacle enveloping for parking, ride comfort, road load prediction, and vibration analysis. The modular setup allows the model complexity to be adapted to the engineering problem. Simcenter MF-Swift is the fastest tire model on the market for 3D uneven road simulations. Thanks to its transparent structure, engineers can easily tune or estimate parameters during early development, when no physical tires are available. Its modeling functionalities have been developed and extensively validated using numerous measurements, experiments and customer use cases.

MF-Tyre

Accurately simulate steady-state and transient behavior up to 8Hz, for handling, control prototyping, and ADAS analyses. Simcenter MF-Tyre is the global standard implementation of the Pacejka Magic Formula, including the most recent modeling developments such as inflation pressure effects, estimated combined slip behavior and a non-linear representation of tire transient behavior. MF-Tyre is the only Magic-Formula-based tire model that is available in all major vehicle dynamic simulation packages, allowing in- and intercompany standardization.

Real-Time

Convert a Simcenter MF-Tyre/MF-Swift model into a real-time variant without model reduction, to guarantee equal numerical results across all stages. Over the course of the product development trajectory, various simulation environments pass by, including desktop applications, HiL setups, and driving simulators. Simcenter helps engineers use a standardized tire model across all simulations, by adapting the model to the required computational performance without affecting results. Consequently, Simcenter MF-Tyre/MF-Swift is currently supported on most industry-standard Real-Time operating systems.

Tire Measurements

Measure tire performance for many road surfaces, covering dry, wet, snow and icy road conditions, using an on-road test laboratory. The Simcenter test trailer is specifically designed to measure the forces and moments a tire yields when on the road in various situations. Both passenger car and motorcycle tires can be measured. On the in-house developed motorcycle tire measurement setup, tires can be measured at camber angles up to 70 degrees. Besides gathering the input for the Simcenter MF-Tool parameter identification tool and subsequently the Simcenter MF-Tyre/MF-Swift tire models, the measurement facilities are also used for validation and benchmarking studies.

Tire Model Parameter Identification

Convert measured data into parameters for Simcenter MF-Tyre/MF-Swift models using a user-friendly tire parameter identification tool that includes data visualization, database functionality, and advanced estimation capabilities. The Simcenter MF-Tool also enables visualization and tuning/modification of tire models. It allows engineers to study the effects of changing tire conditions such as tire inflation pressure, stiffness, friction levels, by the automatic scaling of tire properties. Users can also create their own "virtual tire" by modifying tire properties with standard tire model parameters or measured data.

Tire Modelling Engineering Services

Collaborate with our engineers and achieve a highly accurate and efficient tire modeling process. Simcenter Engineering services experts provide scalable help, from testing on location to set up dedicated tire testing protocols. Project results can perfectly integrated into existing processes and can be complemented with training on the use of Simcenter MF-Tyre/MF-Swift. Other typical engineering services are tire testing protocol and parameter identification improvement and/or automation, tire test rig improvements, studies to the correlation between specific tire characteristics and vehicle dynamics performance criteria and in-depth transfer of tire performance knowledge.