Application of HyperWorks for Collaborative/Global Computer-Aided Engineering And Design Instruction at Brigham Young University

For a recent ME 471 class, a team of five students re-engineered the chassis/suspension platform for a 1969 Chevrolet Camero. At the conclusion of the project, the team presented a comprehensive review of their re-design vehicle to a panel of PACE program representatives and partners. Key to arriving at an efficient design was the early application of Altair topology optimization to the chassis, suspension, and wheel design of the vehicle. Altair HyperMesh was applied to generate finite element models that formed the basis for the topology optimization studies. The team results showed that  The chassis mass was reduced by 34% through the application of topology optimization. The suspension control arm mass was reduced by 28%. The team was able to apply the Altair HyperWorks simulation tools in a seamless manner with the Catia-based CAD data that was generated for the vehicle re-design.