Macpherson Strut Design Study

Tutorial (eTemplate)
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Table of Contents
Overview ................................................................................ 1
Task Objectives....................................................................................... 1
Prerequisites........................................................................................... 2
Procedures ............................................................................................. 2
Sample Model Study ................................................................ 3
Task Objectives....................................................................................... 3
Estimated Time to Complete ..................................................................... 3
Opening the Sample Model ....................................................................... 4
Run Modification Mode ............................................................. 9
Task Objectives....................................................................................... 9
Estimated Time to Complete ..................................................................... 9
Creating a Modification Template............................................................. 10
Running a File in Modification Mode ......................................................... 14
Run Plot Automation ............................................................... 16
Task Objectives..................................................................................... 16
Estimated Time to Complete ................................................................... 16
Obtaining Results Automatically .............................................................. 17
Using the Automation Tool ..................................................................... 21
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1
Chapter

Overview
There are Creation Mode and Modification Mode for the modeling methods by the
eTempate. And Plot Automation is used for reporting the results.
 Creation Mode allows you to start a new model or open an existing model and create a
new entity.
 Modification Mode allows you to define the entities in a model using a template and
change the parameters to modify the model.
 Plot Automation allows you to define the axis information and data for the curve using
an Excel template so that you can plot data easily and repeatedly.
Generally, once you finish a model and complete the final step, you want to simulate the
model by changing a few parameters repeatedly. At this time, you may need to draw the
results repeatedly using the same type of graph. You can use the Modification Mode and
Plot Automation functions of an eTemplate to automate these repeated processes.

Task Objectives
This tutorial includes the following tasks:
 Creating and running a Modification Mode template
 Creating and running a Plot Automation template

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Prerequisites
 This tutorial is intended for users who have completed the RecurDyn basic tutorial. If
you have not completed the tutorial, then you should complete it before proceeding with
this tutorial.
 You need Microsoft Office Excel (2007 or above) to process this tutorial.

Procedures
This tutorial consists of the following tasks. The following table outlines the time required to
complete each task.

Procedures Time(minutes)

Sample Model Study 10

Run Modification Mode 20

Run Plot Automation 20

Total 50

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2
Chapter

Sample Model Study

Task Objectives
This chapter explains the sample model provided in this tutorial and the entity parameters
available in Modification Mode.

Estimated Time to Complete

10 minutes

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Opening the Sample Model

To run RecurDyn and open the initial model:

1. Run RecurDyn.
2. The Start RecurDyn dialog window appears.
3. Click Browse.
4. In the eTemplate tutorial directory ( <Install Dir>
\Help \Tutorial \eTemplate \ModificationMode
\MacphersonStrutDesignStudy), select
Macpherson_Strut.rdyn .
5. Click Open.
The model is shown in the following figure.

Shock Absorber
Tire

Knuckle
Tie Rod
Rack Bar

Low Arm

The MacPherson strut is a type of suspension system used in automobiles. It was first
developed by Earle S. MacPherson and has a simple structure, making it small, light and
inexpensive. It is mainly used in small and mid-sized vehicles. However, it is difficult to
predict changes in the camber and toe when the suspension is compressed.
The sample model used in this tutorial measures the changes that occur in the tire when the
suspension is compressed. When you apply a vertical force to the tire and move it, the
behavior of the tire changes depending on the position and orientation of the each
component.

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To check the components in the model:

This model consists of a tire, suspension components (knuckle, low arm, and shock absorber),
and steering components (tie rod and rack bar).
1. In the Render Toolbar menu, click the Layer Settings.
The dialog window includes a total of 7 layers. Layers 1 to 6 indicate the each
components of the suspension system, and layer 7 indicates the joint and force.
2. In the Layer Settings dialog window, select the On checkboxes for layers 1 through 7
to confirm the configuration of the model.

To save the model:

1. In the File menu, click Save As.

(You cannot perform the simulation if the model is in the tutorial folder, so you must
save the model in a different folder.)

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To perform parametric modeling:

This sample model uses Parametric Points (PPs) and Parametric Values (PVs) for modeling. If
you change a few of the PPs in the model, its geometry as well as its joints and forces change

according to the changes in the points, forming a model with new dynamic properties.
If you change a few of the PPs in the model, the geometry as well as joints and forces
connected to those PPs also change.

PP Name Modified Body Modified Joint / Force

TraJoint_Knuckle_ShockAbsorber
PP_Absorber_Top ShockAbsorber, Knuckle Bushing_Ground_ShockAbsorber
Spring_Knuckle_ShockAbsorber

TraJoint_Knuckle_ShockAbsorber
PP_Knuckle_Absorber_Bottom ShockAbsorber, Knuckle
Spring_Knuckle_ShockAbsorber

PP_Knuckle_LowArm_Bottom Knuckle, Low Arm Spherical_Knuckle_LowArm

PP_LowArm.Front Low Arm(Front) Bushing_Gound_LowArm_Front

PP_LowArm_Rear Low Arm(Rear) Bushing_Gound_LowArm_Rear

PP_Knuckle_TieRod Knuckle, TieRod Spherical_Knuckle_TieRod

PP_TieRod_RackBar TieRod, RackBar Spherical_RackBar_TieRod

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Fixed_Ground_RackBar

To Preform Parametric Value Modeling

Among the PPs defined above, the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the PP_TieRod_RackBar,
PP_LowArm_Front, and PP_LowArm_Rear points are defined using PVs to allow you to
change them easily.

PV_TieRod_RackBar_X X coordinate of the PP_TieRod_RackBar point

PV_TieRod_RackBar_Y Y coordinate of the PP_TieRod_RackBar point

PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z Z coordinate of the PP_TieRod_RackBar point

PV_LowArm_Front_X X coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Front point

PV_LowArm_Front_Y Y coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Front point

PV_LowArm_Front_Z Z coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Front point

PV_LowArm_Rear_X X coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Rear point

PV_LowArm_Rear_Y Y coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Rear point

PV_LowArm_Rear_Z Z coordinate of the PP_LowArm_Rear point

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To run the simulation:

1. On the Analusis tab, in the Simulation Type group, click the Dyn/Kin icon.
2. Check the results.

Apply the Z-direction CMotion to the tire to compress and decompress the suspension. You
can see that the orientation of the tire changes as it twists from the vertical motion. This
twist is due to the structural characteristics of the suspension.

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3
Chapter

Run Modification Mode

Task Objectives
In this chapter, you will learn how to create a template to be used in Modification Mode
and run a sample model.

Estimated Time to Complete

20 minutes

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Creating a Modification Template

In this section, you will learn how to create a modification template and control parameters in
the RecurDyn model.
To create a Template_Format sheet:

Define the template to be used in Modification Mode.

1. Open Excel and then create a sheet called Template_Format.
2. In the Template_Format sheet, enter the header and parameter information that
defines the template format.

Template_Format_Definition Value

ModuleKe S4PARK_Module_professional

TemplateMode FreeStyleMode

UserCommentColum 0

TemplateDataProcessingMode S4PARK_TDPM_Modification

 ModuleKey: Select a RecurDyn Product module.

 TemplateMode: Select a Parameter arrangement method.
 UserCommentColumn: Enter a value between 1and 5 to use one of the columns
between A and E in the sheet. If you don’t want to use a column, enter 0.
 TemplateDataProcessingMode: From Creation Mode, Modification Mode, or Creation
and Modification Mode, Select a Template Mode.

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Tip: Copying the header and parameters using the eTemplate Helper

1. On the Customize tab, in the eTemplate group, click the Helper icon to run the
eTemplate Helper.

2. Click the Template Setting button

3. Copy the header and parameters of the Template_Format sheet to the template.
4. Edit the values so that they fit the tutorial.

You may also need to add additional headers and parameters as you continue with this
tutorial. You can do so easily by using the Modification (Pro.) sample.
(Note: Generally, the values received in Modification Mode use the header names and
parameter names provided in Creation Mode. However, there are some exemptions. For
more information about these exemptions, refer to Helper Modification (Pro.).)

Or, you can copy the headers and parameters from the completed template file provided by
RecurDyn.
(Template file path: <Install Dir> \Help\Tutorial\eTemplate\Tut3_
MacphersonStrut_DesignStudy\Macpherson_Strut_Template.xlsx)

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To create a Template_Data sheet:

You must configure the Template_Data sheet in order to enter the values used in
Modification Mode.

1. Create a sheet called Template_Data.

2. In the Template_Data sheet, enter the headers and parameters for Modification
Mode.

Header_Modify S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType TargetEntity TargetParameter ValueToBeModified

Modify

For the Modification Mode parameter, enter the following values:

 S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType: Header name for the target entity
 TargetEntity: Name of the target entity
 TargetParameter: Name of the target parameter
 ValueToBeModified: Value to be modified

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To enter the parameters used to change a PV value:

To change a PV value in Modification Mode, you must know the names related to the PV in
Creation Mode. Also, you need to know the name of the entity to be modified in the
sample model. Enter this information, as shown in the following figure, and then enter the
value to be modified..

Header Name and Parameter Name of Creation Mode

User Input Value

Define the parameters of the PV, as shown in the following figure.

 In ValueToBeModified, enter 0 for PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z, and enter the same
values as in the model for others.

Header_Modify S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType TargetEntity TargetParameter ValueToBeModified

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Y Value 300

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z Value 0

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_X Value 200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Y Value 240

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Z Value -150

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Y Value 240

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Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Z Value -150

 Save the template file.

Running a File in Modification Mode

In this section, you will learn how to open the sample model and run the template in
Modification Mode.
To run the Modification Mode Template

1. On the Customize tab, in the

eTemplate group, click the Modify
icon.
The Run Modification Mode dialog
window appears.
2. Click the Browse button to open and
run the template file created
previously.

Once the model has been modified successfully, a dialog

window appears to indicate that the modification was completed
successfully.
3. Close the dialog window and check the model.

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If you open the PV dialog window, you can see that the PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z value has
changed from -50 to 0. The model is also modified accordingly.

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4
Chapter

Run Plot Automation

Task Objectives
In this chapter, you will learn how to obtain simulation results automatically using the Plot
Automation function of the eTemplate.

Estimated Time to Complete

20 minutes

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Obtaining Results Automatically

In this section, you will learn how to use the Plot Automation function to automate the
whole process from modifying the model using Modification Mode to performing the
simulation and plotting the results on a graph.

To enter the simulation parameters:

You must run the simulation immediately after the model is modified. Add the simulation
parameters shown in the following figure to the Template_Data sheet in order to run the
simulation automatically after the Modification Mode operation is finished.
1. Save Model: Save the model before running the simulation.

Header_Process_Save FileName

Process_Save Macpherson_Strut

2. Run Simulation: Perform a dynamic analysis.

Header_Process_Analysis SimulationRun AnalysisMode

Process_Analysis TRUE Dynamic

3. Remove Message dialog window: Remove the message dialog window that appears
when the Modification Mode operation or the simulation finishes.

Header_Setting_S4PARK UseShowImportSuccessMessage UseShowAnalysisSuccessMessage

Setting_S4PARK FALSE FALSE

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To enter the plot automation parameters:

You can get the Toe Angle and Camber Angle using the Yaw and Roll values of the tire.
Define the curve that represents the Z axis position of the tire as shown in the following
figure.
 Toe Angle Curve
Toe Angle
 X axis: Bodies/Tire/Pos_TZ (YAW)
 Y axis: Bodies/Tire/Pos_YAW
 Camber Angle Curve
 X axis: Bodies/Tire/Pos_TZ
 Y axis: Bodies/Tire/Pos_Roll Camber Angle
(ROLL)

Add the Plot Automation parameters to the Template_Data sheet.

1. Define the curve data: Define the X axis and Y axis data of the curve to be drawn.

Header_Info_Plot_CurveData Name XData YData RPLTFileldentifier Legend

Info_Plot_CurveData CurveData_ToeAng Macpherson_Strut/Bodies/ Macpherson_Strut/Bodies/ RecentRPLTFile Toe

Tire/Pos_TZ Tire/Pos_YAW Angle

Info_Plot_CurveData CurveData_CamberAn Macpherson_Strut/Bodies/ Macpherson_Strut/Bodies/ RecentRPLTFile Camber

g Tire/Pos_TZ Tire/Pos_ROLL Angle

 XData: The X axis data of the curve

 YData: The Y axis data of the curve
 RPLTFileIdentifier: The information of RPLT file to get the curve. If you want to
use the RPLT file of current simulation, input the “RecentRPLTFile”
 Legend: The legend name of the curve

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Tip: Dragging and dropping the XData and YData input data

Drag and drop the relevant data from the Plot Database to the input field in the Excel sheet
to copy the data path.

2. Define axes: Define the X axis and Y axis format of the curve.
Header_Info_Plot_XAxis Name Title Max Min Decimals MajorTickStep

Info_Plot_XAxis XAxis_PosZ Z Position (mm) 100 -100 0 20

Header_Info_Plot_YAxis Name Title Max Min MajorTickStep AxisPositionType

Info_Plot_Yaxis YAxis_ToeAng Toe Ang (deg) 8 -8 2 Left

Info_Plot_Yaxis YAxis_CamberAng Camber Angle 3 -1 0.5 Left

(deg)

 Title: The string displayed on the axis

 Max/Min: The minimum and maximum values of the axis
 Decimals(Info_Plot_Xaxis): The number of decimal places shown in the values
on the X axis
 MajorTickStep: The difference in values between adjacent markings on the axis
 AxisPositionType(Info_Plot_Yaxis): The position of the Y axis

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3. Define the curve to be drawn on the plot: Use the data defined in the steps 1 and 2
to define the graph to be drawn on the plot.

Header_Process_Plot useDrawPlot TargetPage TargetPane TargetCurveData XAxisProperty YAxisProperty

Process_Plot TRUE 1 1 CurveData_ToeAng XAxis_PosZ YAxis_ToeAng

Process_Plot TRUE 1 2 CurveData_CamberAng XAxis_PosZ YAxis_CamberAng

 UseDrawPlot: Draw Flag

 TargetPage: The page on which the curve data is drawn
 TargetPane: The pane on which the curve data is drawn
 TargetCurveData: The curve data information
 XAxisProperty: The X axis format of the curve
 YAxisProperty: The Y axis format of the curve
4. Export as an image: Export the curve drawn on the plot as an image file. If you don't
specify a separate folder path, the image file is saved in the same folder as the template
file.

Header_Plot_Export_Image FileName

Plot_Export_Image Result (-200,300,0), (200,240,-150), (-200,240,-150)

Use the CONCATENATE function of Excel to include the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the
PP_TieRod_RackBa, PP_LowArm_Front, and PP_LowArm_Rear points in the name of
the image file.
=CONCATENATE( "Result (", E2, ",", E3, ",", E4, "), (", E5, ",", E6, ",", E7, "), (", E8,
",", E9, ",", E10, ")")

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Using the Automation Tool

In this section, you will learn how to use the MacPherson Strut model provided in this tutorial
and the template you created to examine the dynamic properties of the suspension system
To run the Modification Mode template:

1. Open the sample model in RecurDyn.

2. On the Customize tab, in the eTemplate group, click the Modify icon.
The Run Modification Mode dialog window appears.
3. Click the Browse button to locate and run the template file created previously

The model is modified automatically and the simulation is performed. Once the simulation is
finished, the plot data is drawn automatically and the curve is saved as an image file in the
same path as the template file.

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The section in which the Tire_Pos_Z value is positive indicates when the suspension is being
compressed. If you look at the behavior of the tire in the section, you can see that both the
Toe Angle (Yaw) and Camber Angle (Roll) tend to increase. That is, the suspension shows
tendencies towards Toe In and a Positive Camber Angle.
Toe In helps increase the stability of the vehicle when driving straight and is used in normal
vehicles. In contrast to this, a Positive Camber Angle can reduce the performance of a
vehicle and damage its suspension, so it is not used in normal vehicles.

Let's change the model so that the Positive Camber Angle becomes a Negative Camber
Angle.

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To modify the model and run the simulation:

Let's modify the PV values so that the suspension model includes both Toe In and Negative
Camber tendencies.

1. In the template file, change the ValueToBeModified value of PV_LowArm_Front_Y

and PV_LowArm_Rear_Y to 340.

Header_Modify S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType TargetEntity TargetParameter ValueToBoModified

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Y Value 300

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z Value 0

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_X Value 200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Z Value -150

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Z Value -150

2. Save the template file.

3. Return to the sample model. Then, on the Customize tab, in the eTemplate group,
click the Modify icon.
Since the template file is already linked to the sample model, the model is modified
immediately and the plot is drawn without any additional input.
Even after the modification, the suspension still shows a tendency towards a Positive

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Camber Angle.

Header_Modify S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType TargetEntity TargetParameter ValueToBoModified

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Y Value 300

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z Value 0

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_X Value 200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Z Value -100

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Z Value -100

Let’s modify the Z axis of the LowArm and run the simulation again.
4. In the temaplate file, change the ValueToBeModified value of PV_LowArm_Front_Z
and PV_LowArm_Rear_Z to -100

5. Save the template file.

6. Return to the sample model. Then, on the Customize tab, in the eTemplate group,
click the Modify icon.
The model is modified and the plot is drawn.

The model shows a tendency towards a Negative Camber Angle, but the Toe Angle has
decreased significantly and now shows a tendency towards Toe Out

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Header_Modify S4PARKHeaderDefinitionType TargetEntity TargetParameter ValueToBoModified

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Y Value 300

Modify Header_PV PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z Value 50

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_X Value 200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Front_Z Value -100

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_X Value -200

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Y Value 340

Modify Header_PV PV_LowArm_Rear_Z Value -100

Let’s modify the Z axis of the TireRod and run the simulation again to be Toe In.

7. In the template file, change the ValueToBeModified value of PV_TieRod_RackBar_Z

to 50.

8. Save the template file.

9. Return to the sample model. Then, on the Customize tab, in the eTemplate group,
click the Modify icon.
The model is modified and the plot is drawn.

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The model shows both the Negative Camber Angle and Toe In tendencies.

All the result graphs produced in the test are automatically saved as image files in the same
folder as the template file. You can use the image files later to report the results.

Thanks for participating in this tutorial!

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