SPMM 5000 OUTLINE SPECIFICATION - SP20016 issue 2 WHAT IS THE SPMM 5000? The Suspension Parameter Measuring Machine (SPMM) is designed to measure the quasi-static suspension characteristics that are important to vehicle ride and handling. In normal testing, the machine applies forces and moments to the suspension slowly, so as not to excite any dynamic forces emanating from inertias, dampers or elastomers. Dynamic testing up to 5Hz on any combination of axes is available as an option. The SPMM 5000 is a second generation design which integrates many incremental improvements developed since ABD delivered the first SPMM in 1996. The increased load capacity, wheelbase range and vertical motion allow testing of a larger range of vehicles. The latest generation of real time control system also improves performance and future proofs the machine. The SPMM is a moving body, fixed ground plane Kinematics and Compliance (K&C) test machine with electromechanical actuators. It is designed to subject a vehicle to a variety of forces and displacements under precise computer control. During testing, measurements are made to determine kinematic characteristics of the suspension and steering system geometry, and suspension compliances due to the springs, anti-roll bars, elastomeric bushes and component deformations. A wide range of parameters may be evaluated, the principal ones being suspension stiffness and hysteresis, bump-steer, roll-steer, roll stiffness and distribution, longitudinal and lateral compliance, steer, and steering system characteristics. Knowledge of these characteristics is essential to an understanding of vehicle ride, impact isolation, steering and handling. Simple bolt on upgrades provide quick and affordable paths to increase machine capability. Available upgrades include the addition of dynamic testing capability, Centre of Gravity and Moment of Inertia measurement capability, Hardware in the Loop testing capability and the testing of vehicles with 4 wheels on the rear axle. Since the first SPMM was delivered in 1996 it has proven to be an accurate, easy to use, reliable and safe test machine. It is available in either a 4 wheel station (twin-axle), or a two wheel station (single-axle) version.
Wheel Position Measurement System. (ABD Dynamic Arm shown) Wheel Station with wheel force measurement system The Centre Table Roll Pitch and Bounce Mechanism 600mm wide telescopic Loading Ramps Advantages of the SPMM 5000 Design The SPMM is a moving body, fixed horizontal ground plane machine with electro-mechanical actuators and piezoelectric load measurement. The design provides the following advantages: Faithful simulation of vehicle behaviour during cornering and braking manoeuvres. High accuracy wheel position measurement. High accuracy load measurement. A quiet, clean and safe operating environment. Quick switching from K&C test mode to Moments of Inertia (MIMS) test mode. High accuracy vehicle Moments of Inertia and Centre of Gravity measurement. The option to install either at ground level or in a 1.5m pit. Extremely low running and maintenance costs. Centre Table Roll, Pitch and Bounce Mechanism The vehicle is rigidly clamped to a moving centre table that applies roll, pitch and bounce motions, or a combination of these motions, to the vehicle body during testing. Precise control of the centre table motion is achieved by co-ordinating the motion of six linear, electro-mechanical actuators that restrain the six degrees of freedom of the table. Wheel Stations The vehicle wheels sit on the SPMM wheel stations. These have a fixed horizontal ground plane with electromechanical actuators that move the wheel pad in the X (longitudinal), Y (lateral) and Delta (steer) directions. These provide automatic adjustment during the vehicle loading sequence for different vehicle wheelbases and tracks. During Testing they apply horizontal loads to the wheels for simulation of braking, accelerating and cornering forces. The Delta axis actuator applies torque to the wheel by rotation of the wheel pad about a vertical axis to simulate aligning torques. Wheel Position Measurement System (WPMS) The SPMM can be supplied with either the high accuracy ABD Dynamic Arm WPMS or the standard ABD Draw Wire WPMS. Both systems provide quasi-static and dynamic measurement of all 6 degrees of freedom of the wheel motion. The ABD Dynamic Arm solution is recommended for users requiring the highest possible measurement accuracy, both quasi-statically and dynamically. Castor change is optionally measured using an inclinometer. SP20016-issue 2 (June 2014) Page 2 of 5
Wheel Force Measurement System The Wheel Force Measurement System uses multi-component piezo-electric load cells to accurately measure the 3 orthogonal forces and 3 moments applied by the wheel. These are also used to accurately determine the X and Y position of the tyre s centre of pressure. Piezo-electric load cells have the advantage of providing both a very large load range measurement capability and excellent measurement sensitivity. The Control and Integrated Software Suite A programmable multi-axis controller provides smooth synchronised motion of the machine axes and simultaneous data capture. A Windows based computer controls the overall operation of the machine and provides the graphical user interface. The system is highly flexible and user-friendly with help screens and pop-up selection tables. New tests and test sequences may be specified quickly and easily. SPMM 5000 Test Capabilities Any of the rig s axes can be moved in combination with any other axis in force or displacement control, either in phase or in anti-phase. In this way, complex combined loadings are generated. During testing, measurements are made of wheel centre steer (toe) angle, camber angle, wheel spin angle, vertical displacement, longitudinal displacement and lateral displacement. Measurements are also made of the six force and moment components at the tyre contact patch. Derived parameters from standard tests include: Vertical motion of the vehicle body: Ride toe (steer) Ride camber Ride castor Change in wheel position vs. ride position Wheel rate (measured at wheel centre) Ride rate (measured at tyre contact patch) Tyre radial rate Virtual swing arm lengths and centres Kinematic anti-lift and anti-dive angles Roll motion of the vehicle body: Roll steer Axle roll steer Roll camber Roll moment Body and axle roll moments (vs. roll angle) Roll stiffness Roll moment distribution Roll centre location and migration with roll angle Change in wheel loads (vs roll angle) Virtual swing-arm lengths and angles Hand wheel steer motion: Instantaneous steering ratio Ackerman error curve Scrub radius Castor trail Lateral offset Steering system hysteresis Castor angle and change King-pin inclination and change Longitudinal force at tyre contact patch: Castor change Wheelbase change Longitudinal stiffness Anti-lift and anti-dive coefficients (SVSA) Tyre tangential rate Lateral force at tyre contact patch: Lateral stiffness Axle roll centre location Tyre lateral rate Aligning Torque: Advanced Simulation Tests: Advanced simulation tests such as steady state cornering with acceleration or braking can be undertaken by the SPMM. This can be performed using the built in horizontal acceleration test functionality or optional Hardware in the Loop (HiL) functionality. The SPMM's fixed ground plane design is key to reproducing the motions accurately and providing an accurate simulation. SP20016-issue 2 (June 2014) Page 3 of 5
OUTPUT An interactive real time graph-plotting facility, SPMM Grapher, is supplied with the SPMM. This provides automatic calculation of loop gradients and hysteresis. Multiple plots can be displayed and data from one test can be laid-over data from previous tests. ABD also supply an optional MATLAB based Post Processing package. This automatically processes the results from a series of tests into a results report. System Configurations and Key Options The SPMM 5000 is available as a 4 wheel station (twin axle) machine or a 2 wheel station (single axle) machine, with either the ABD Dynamic Arm WPMS or Draw Wire WPMS. The 2 wheel station machine can be easily upgraded to a 4 wheel station machine post installation. Options available to increase testing capability include: Dynamic Testing Capability: for vehicle testing at up to 5Hz. Moments of Inertia Measurement System (MIMS): for high accuracy measurement of a vehicles Centre of Gravity and Moments of Inertia, (see ABD outline specification Sp11002). Large Vehicle Table Extenders: for testing vehicles with a wheelbase up to 4540mm. Powered Steering Wheel System: for control of the steering wheel during testing. Automatic Brake Applicator: for automatic application of the vehicle brake during testing. Wheel Substitutes (steel wheels): for measuring lateral compliance at the wheel centre. Wheel Straps: for measuring the longitudinal compliance of the suspension at the wheel centre. 600mm Diameter Rear Wheel Pans: for testing vehicles with twin wheeled rear axles. SPMM to CarSim Model Generator: for exporting SPMM data directly into Carsim. SPMM to CarMaker Model Generator: for exporting SPMM data directly into CarMaker. HiL Testing: to enable the SPMM to be used in HiL modelling. All upgrade paths are included in the design of the base machine. They can be added when the machine is initially purchased, or after the machine has been delivered. SP20016-issue 2 (June 2014) Page 4 of 5
SPMM 5000 SPECIFICATION 4 Wheel Station SPMM Dimensions & Weights: SPMM 5000 SPMM 5000 With Dynamic Arm Overall length including standard loading ramps (*) 8010 mm 7415 mm Overall width 3905 mm 4570 mm Overall height, excluding vehicle 2460 mm Nominal ground plane height (or depth of pit installation) 1530 mm * Dimensions are for the standard 4 wheel station SPMM 5000, excluding control cabinet, access steps and walkways. Alternative length rigs can be provided. Applied Loads: Vertical per wheel Fore and aft per wheel Lateral per wheel Aligning torque per wheel Maximum body roll moment Maximum body pitch moment 0 to 40 kn ± 20 kn at ground plane ± 20 kn at ground plane ± 1000 Nm ± 80 knm ± 75 knm 4 Wheel Station Rig Capacity:* Nominal vehicle wheelbase range (large table extenders not fitted): Wheelbase range (large table extenders fitted) Nominal vehicle track range Nominal vehicle maximum weight 1960-4230 mm 1960-4540 mm 1100-2082 mm 5000 kg * The specified rig capacity is for the standard sized SPMM 5000. Other capacities can be provided. Body Motions: Peak Velocity Peak Displacement SPMM 5000 SPMM 5000 with Dynamic Option. Bounce: ± 210 mm* 70 mm/s 140 mm/s Roll: ± 10º 4º per second 7º per second Pitch: ± 8º 3.4º per second 6º per second * ± 40mm is typically required for adjusting the sill clamp height. Tyre Contact Patch Motions: Peak Velocity Peak Displacement SPMM 5000 SPMM 5000 with Dynamic Option. Nominal longitudinal: ± 150 mm* 50 mm/s 100 mm/s Nominal lateral: ± 150 mm* 50 mm/s 100 mm/s Powered rotational: ± 80º nominal 8º per second 30º per second Nominal free rotational (no physical limit) n/a n/a * Note that these ranges are reduced if operating near the extremes of the wheelbase and track limits. Further information: Further information about the SPMM 5000 is available by: Contacting your local ABD representative http://www.abd.uk.com/en/representatives Emailing ABD at info@abd.uk.com Calling ABD on +44 (0) 1225 860200 With the objective of continuous development and improvement of the SPMM, ABD reserves the right to change this specification without notice. SP20016-issue 2 (June 2014) Page 5 of 5