DYNATUNE-XL SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE (SDM)

DYNATUNE-XL SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE (SDM) has been developed in order to provide a convenient MS EXCEL based tool for quick (independent) suspension parameter studies based on an Elementary Suspension Geometry Data set. DYNATUNE-XL SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE is for calculation AND post processing entirely based on vector algebraic equations - which are commonly available in mechanical engineering handbooks and for decades have proven their validity. Moreover the vector algebraic approach in DYNATUNE-XL SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE permits to calculate AND post-process even the most complex multi-link suspensions with virtual steering axis correctly, A capability that nowadays can only be found in the most complex & expensive simulation tools.
DOWNLOAD DYNATUNE SDM DEMO VERSION
In the latest RELEASE 8.1 of the EXPERT Version a unique Elasto-Kinematic Optimizer is included capable of creating quasi in full automatic mode a Suspension Geometry in combination with specific desired Compliant Characteristics.
DYNATUNE-XL DOES OFFER TWO VERY HELPFUL DOCUMENTS TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF VEHICLE DYNAMICS

  • THE 5 "MUST KNOW" FUNDAMENTALS OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION DESIGN
  • THE 10 "EASY" STEPS TO HAPPY (ELASTO-) KINEMATICS DESIGN GUIDE
DYNATUNE-XL SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE has been developed to be used especially in the conceptual phase and/or during the final chassis development where it has proved to be also an excellent support tool for the development engineers. Many Club Racers have found the tool to be particularly helpful for investigating and designing their own Suspension Modifications.
Modified Steering Ratio on Elise for Slalom.
Suspension Geometry Animation
Audi S2 Quattro with modified Fr & Rr Anti's

2 LEVELS of CHOICE

Historically DYNATUNE-XL SDM developed over the years from it's initial programming in Fortran 77 in 1989 via Turbo Pascal in 1996 to the "BASE" Version in MS EXCEL at it's first commercial release in 2014 and gradually evolved via "PRO" Version into it's remaining current 2 Final Versions - RACE & EXPERT.
Please do download the DYNATUNE-XL SDM PDF to see first hand what is all available in the "Expert" Variant of the Tool. It is a printout of all Input and Output Data and does give a good impression on the various possibilities of data analysis.

The Table of Variants does provide an excellent overview of all Historic Variants and show what Features did eventually merged into the final remaining "RACE" & "EXPERT" Versions. The "RACE" Version RELEASE 8.0 is a pure Kinematic Tool whereas the "EXPERT" Version RELEASE 8.1 is a Kinematic & Compliance Tool with Link Load Calculation Capability and as mentioned above does feature a truly unique Elasto-Kinematic Optimizer allowing to create quasi in Full automatic Mode a Suspension Geometry with according Link Stiffness (Bushing Rate) Values.
The "BASE" Version was originally focused on providing all necessary tools for designing the Kinematics of a Standard Production Vehicle and typically Racing Car Suspensions that are derived from those Standard Production Cars.

In the "PRO" Version Suspension Compliance has been added by means of implementing a "Link Stiffness" allowing to analyze Suspension Behavior under Loads.

The highly specialized "RACE" Version permitted - compared to the "BASE" Version - additional kinematic investigations of complex Push-Rod, Rocker & Roll Linkage Suspensions which typically can be found on Formula and Super/Hyper Cars.
By Merging the "PRO" Version and the "RACE" Version the "EXPERT" Version became the Top Version combining all Features together in one Tool.
The table summarizes all the key features. As mentioned above in RELEASE 8.0 does remain only the "RACE" Version and in RELEASE 8.1 only the "EXPERT" Version.

More information about Features and Modelling Approach is available on the corresponding pages SDM Features & SDM Modeling.
GOTO SDM FEATURES
For the interested reader and of course also for the historic DYNATUNE-XL Users a brief description of all Versions is listed below:

DYNATUNE-XL "BAse" suspension design module

DYNATUNE-XL "BASE" SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE comes with 3 Standard Templates which allow to create 99% of the nowadays most commonly used suspension architectures. The Tool provides all necessary means to investigate the kinematics of those suspensions

The "BASE" Version is aimed for those who want to quickly design a kinematic layout of a Standard Suspension Type or want to use a straight forward tool to verify an existing Suspension on a Vehicle in order to optimize the Kinematic Characteristics
 

DYNATUNE-XL "PRO" suspension design module

DYNATUNE-XL "PRO" SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE adds to the "BASE" Version the Feature of Link Stiffness allowing to investigate Compliant Suspension Behavior under Longitudinal, Lateral and Vertical Loading. By inserting Link Stiffness Values the effect of Brackets, Bushings or Structural Chassis Compliance can be analyzed and optimized efficiently without having to depend on complex and costly multi-body-analysis simulation tools 

DYNATUNE-XL "RACE" SUSPENSION DESIGN MODULE

In the "RACE" Version of DYNATUNE-XL SDM, the kinematic "BASE" Module has been extended with the additional feature of a Push-/Pull-Rod Rocker Suspension with or without a Anti-Roll Bar Linkage. The Anti-Roll Bar Linkage can be configured to be either a commonly used U-Bar or T-Bar configuration.

In addition to the 3 existing Generic Suspension Templates, 4 additional generic Rocker Templates are included. All Post-Processing Tools have been upgraded to analyze the kinematics of the added Features.

DYNATUNE-XL "EXPERT" suspension design module

In analogy to the "PRO" Version the "EXPERT" Version adds Suspension Compliance to the "RACE" Version. Beyond that the "EXPERT" Version comes with a Suspension Load Case Template and a Generic Vehicle Load Case Template which allows the user to design not only the Kinematics or Elasto-Kinematics but also provides initial link loads which can be used for structural design investigations on how to design the suspension attachment points.