Software optimises car design

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 22, 2008

Ramsis is used to confirm the front seat and steering wheel adjustment by creating manikins that represent short and tall occupants.

The concept layout, package and design of Bentley's Continental GTC, Azure and Brooklands are tested and ergonomically and improved using the Ramsis human modelling tool, from Applied PLM Solutions.

For five years, Bentley has been deploying ergonomic software to develop better front seat positions, rear occupancy space and confirmation of vision to primary components.

"Prior to Ramsis we had to create a physical model and a vehicle simulator (buck) to identify and resolve ergonomic concerns, a time-consuming and expensive process." "Ramsis allows Bentley to identify major packaging problems before a costly ergonomic buck or clay model is manufactured", says John Dickenson, Pre Development Cabin Zone Package Manager at Bentley.

"The ergonomic software has helped to further streamline our design process".

Ramsis software is supplied in the UK by Applied PLM Solutions.

Shaun Clark, Applied MD said, "By effectively reducing the distinction between virtual and real cabins and their occupants, Ramsis is a boon to Bentley's designers and ergonomists who must deliver ever-higher levels of comfort, safety and utility".

"Digital Ramsis studies allow the predevelopment team to resolve basic problems and ensure that a vehicle's first physical properties are well considered".

"We use the buck to validate digital Ramsis studies and demonstrate the vehicle package ergonomics and hard points (motion, kinematics and dynamics) to the rest of the business".

Bentley benefits from the software's ability to create a frozen manikin surface.

The predevelopment department produces a 2D package and hard point documentation that defines principle dimensions and package targets.

Ramsis is used to confirm the front seat and steering wheel adjustment by creating manikins that represent short and tall occupants.

These manikins are frozen in position and released to the engineering department as a set of surfaces to represent space targets for knee room, headroom and hard points and to define eye points.

Previously, engineers had only simple 2D manikin templates to work with.

These are great for creating sections but no help when developing trim surfaces.

They now use a Ramsis surface model to ensure 3D clearance targets are met.

Ramsis studies are key to understanding and demonstrating the ergonomic issues of occupants with a wide range of body sizes.

Five years ago - when introducing the ergonomic software - Bentley validated Ramsis studies completed on the first projects using an ergonomic buck.

These digital results were so close to those from physical bucks that Ramsis quickly became an important decision support and risk mitigation tool.

Major concept and ergonomic features are regularly supported digitally with ergonomic studies.

In one example, Ramsis proved valuable in the concept and style feasibility phase of the Azure and Brooklands.

Studies for these models focused on ensuring sufficient rear leg and shoulder room.

Both cars have class rear occupancy space.

Further studies were undertaken to optimise the position of a new front seat belt and to make steering column adjustments.

Bentley has customised many features within Ramsis, using the software to implement strategic targets.

They have created manikins based on anthropometrical data ensuring vehicles meet the comfort expectations of all users.

Dickenson explained, "We were able to use manikins to define the rear compartment surfaces in the Azure and Brooklands".

Ramsis is able to predict an occupant's seating position within the seat's adjustment range.

This allows Bentley to optimise the position of a new seat in the vehicle.

The seat positions are then used to define steering wheel position and armrest heights and to confirm the visibility of the main dials through the steering wheel.