auto industry with cae value

Automotive

We work side-by-side with our clients to shorten development time using the following deliverables:

  • High-fidelity modeling of chassis and powertrain dynamics
  • Multi-objective Design Optimization (MDO) - using Design Exploration to generate balanced solutions meeting desired performance for attributes such as noise, vibration, harshness (NVH), handling, ride, driveability, durability, and more.  
  • Automation of simulation processes to increase efficiency
  • Tire measurement for Durability, Handling and Ride applications
  • Driving Simulator hardware, software and services
  • Mechatronics simulation with connected mechanical and ADAS models
  • Process assessments to identify bottlenecks, define roadmaps, and maximize return on Computer Aided Engineering activities.

 

6 Use Cases for CAE Simulation in
Electric Vehicle Drivetrains


As electric vehicles take over a larger share of the automotive market, OEMs and suppliers alike need to make use of every tool at their disposal to improve the performance of their vehicles. At present, no tool is more essential than CAE simulation when it comes to helping manufacturers test the design of EM components and how they contribute to the structure, efficiency, and performance of a vehicle.

While a lot of attention is often focused on battery performance in EVs, the electric drivetrain also presents completely new engineering challenges that require extensive simulation in order to understand how interconnecting systems affect each other. From our experience working in the automotive industry, we have identified six key areas where simulation helps EV engineers improve drivetrain performance. Let’s take a closer look.

 

1. NVH

In automotive engineering, reducing NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) is essential to providing a comfortable passenger experience. Combustion engines are significantly more noisy than electric motors, which might lead some to believe that NVH reduction doesn’t require the same level of care and attention. However, the noise of the combustion engine masks a lot of NVH issues that would otherwise be problematic. With the engine noise gone, passengers are more likely to notice outside noises, as well as sounds from the gearbox or coolant systems.The issues are similar for vibration. A vehicle that moves and shakes is disquieting to passengers, and gives an impression of low quality. While passengers expect vibration from a combustion engine, electric vehicles will still experience vibration conditions when they are on the road. These can be more noticeable to passengers, leading them to feel less satisfied with the vehicle.

These factors are what make NVH simulation in electric vehicles so important. CAE simulations can show how disparate parts work together to contribute to passenger experiences of NVH. These can then be remedied in the design.


2. Electric Motor Performance

Electric vehicles have typically lagged behind those with internal combustion engines (ICEs) in terms of power and performance. This has been a barrier to wider adoption, as improvements in motor and transmission performance have come at a tradeoff to battery longevity. However, newer EV technologies have increased the efficiency of electric powertrains, allowing them to compete with and even outperform their ICE counterparts.

Multiphysics simulations have been integral to these improvements, and can help automotive manufacturers develop even better designs. This can be particularly important in optimizing motor efficiencies with gear ratios, to improve performance on highways or during uphill driving.

3. Thermal Management

Proper thermal management keeps components operating at optimal efficiency, which results in less drain on the battery and greater range for the vehicle. Thermal management systems in electric vehicles are more complex than their ICE counterparts, as batteries must be either cooled or heated depending on operating conditions, and because EMs don’t generate any waste heat that might be used to warm the cabin.Analyzing the way motors, inverters, generators, and batteries work together to consume energy is an important part of thermal management. Simulations can be used to model the entire vehicle to better integrate these systems for more efficient use.

4. Lubrication

Electric vehicles require different lubricants than ICEs. Without fossil fuels and with fewer moving parts, these systems run cleaner, meaning the engine oils will collect fewer contaminants over time from burning fuel. However, EV motors operate at very high speeds, and still require both oil and coolant. And, while EV transmissions are different from ICEs, they do still require lubrication for the gear reducer.

Thus far, there is no one solution to which lubricants should be used for different EV transmissions. While some manufacturers use traditional transmission fluid, others are relying on grease bearings with oil lubricants. CFD simulation can help engineers understand which lubricants work best based on their design choices.

5. New Materials

A key strategy for improving fuel efficiency in electric vehicles is to reduce the weight of the vehicle itself. Increased strength and stiffness can also improve the responsiveness and speed of electric motors, leading to better operating conditions. However, for a manufacturer to move from traditional metals to new, lightweight alloys, they must be able to ensure that these new materials can withstand the strains of use within an electric vehicle.CAE simulation can show how these new materials behave when used in EV driveline components, from the motor to the gearbox to the structural housing, so that manufacturers can continue to find new and more effective materials for their vehicle designs.


6. Durability

The reputations of automotive manufacturers are made or broken on the reliability and longevity of their products. Premature failure of components leads to lost trust among consumers, as well as extra expenses for manufacturers in case of a large recall.

Using CAE simulation, engineers can create models to run fatigue tests and predict failure conditions for every component in the EV driveline. These simulations can help manufacturers determine repair schedules and write better warrantees for their vehicles.

CAE VAlue can support your simulation needs for electric vehicle drivetrains.
CAE VAlue offers CAE simulation support for OEMs and suppliers in two key ways. First, we are value-added resellers (VARs) of VI-grade simulation apps and driving simulators, Siemens Simcenter HEEDS and Amesim, SES-Agile Tire, and our own ParaMount bushing simulation tool. For manufacturers who hope to expand their CAE departments we offer support for using this software to set up custom workflows.

As CAE consultants, we bring our multidisciplinary expertise to the table, helping our clients find solutions to complex problems. We can perform CAE simulations for our clients, increasing the capabilities for those who do not have CAE engineers on staff, and expanding the capacity for those who need extra assistance during peak production times.

If you are looking for a CAE partner to help test designs for EV components, contact us

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    accelerating development

 


Our dynamic team of engineers have one thing top of mind. 

Helping you navigate from
imagining innovation - to delivering innovation. Faster!

 
Founded in 2005 in the very heart of Sweden's reknowned automotive industry, our team is pinpoint focused on enabling breakthroughs for your product development pain points. We share and transfer our own engineering expertise in simulation, optimization analytics, and multibody simulation. We're also certified partners with the industry's leading simulation software and driving simulators that you need to protect and increase the value of your CAE investment.

 

 

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the vision 

  

We help customers accelerate development

by providing a unique combination of 

experienced senior experts, work

processes, tools, and a reliable network of

component measurement specialists.




our strategy

 

Every consultant learns multi-objective design

optimization methods, has access to the leading CAE

tools, and is backed by the entire team, in order, to

provide superior problem-solving capability and efficiency

of execution. By constantly searching for state-of-the-art

work processes, we take pride in providing one of the

best consultancy services within the industry.

 

 

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Technology partners

 

 

vi-grade design simulation and driving simulators

 

 


siemens cae value





chassis autonomy

Delivering real-time simulation software and an immersive Driver-in-the-Loop simulator experience that allows you to actually feel the performance of the conceived product.

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CAE Value is a certified Siemans Smart Expert partner and distributor for Simcenter HEEDS and Amesim.

Learn more - HEEDS

Learn more - Amesim

Chassis Autonomy are leading the design and development of steering and braking systems for autonomously driven vehicles.

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stackpole engineering SES Agile Tire

We're an approved distributor for SES-AgileTire™. Store, analyze, validate and even model tire performance characteristics within one convenient tool. 

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pertech motorsport and automotve engineering

 

Motorsport and automotive engineering in the fields of  vehicle dynamics, simulation and race engineering.

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the quality of our company is reflected in the clients we serve

volvo cars

 

polestar product design simulation

scania product simulation

volvo group product design simulation

ABB product engineering simulation

geely automotive engineering design simulation


afry engineering simulation cae value

atlas copco engineering simulation cae value


siemens energy engineering design simulation

bmw product engineering simulation cae value

cevt product engineering simulation

 

nevs product engineering simulation

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vinnova cae value

Vinnova is a governmental agency housed under the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, Sweden's national authority for the EU framework programme for research and innovation. Learn more.


fkg scandinavian automotive supplier association cae value

The Scandinavian Automotive Supplier Association, 300 members strong, has been actively advocating towards industry, politicians, authorities, and the media for over 30 years. Learn more.

Linköping university technology cae value

In close collaboration with the business world and society, Linköping University (LiU) conducts world-leading, boundary-crossing research in fields including materials science, IT and hearing.
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KTH Royal Institute of Technology and CAE Value

Founded in1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology is Sweden's largest technical research and learning institution and has become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key center of intellectual talent and innovation. Learn more.


 

 

 

Don't just take our word for it. what really matters is the word of our clients.

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"CAE Value has the competence that well matches our sharpest minds and the humbleness needed to create a dialogue climate that leads to gound breaking, highly relevant results."
Jonas Klang, Strömsholmen AB

"The smaller company that is always eager to help with a dedication and commitment the larger companies lack." 
Magnus Nordell, NEVS

"Someone who
...is available when required
...understands our products in depth
...knows and understands our software and models
...can work effectively and efficiently even with limited information and support from us.
...can deliver outstanding results in the limited time available."
Johannes Tredoux, ABB

"Through our HEEDS business, we are focusing on helping manufacturers discover better designs, faster through virtual prototyping process automation and design exploration. CAE Value is a valued partner of Siemens in helping us realize this vision through their dedicated support of clients in the Nordic region."
Bob Ryan, former CEO, CD-adapco and Red Cedar Technology

 

 

 

 

case studies

 

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