Past Webcasts

Starting in spring 2005, Mechanical Simulation has been conducting interactive, web-based seminars. The seminars include demonstrations and our software. We have started saving the broadcasts and will make some available for download here. Before viewing any seminar you will need to obtain a password.

These recordings show full screen detail and are narrated by the main developers at Mechanical Simulation. The size is reasonable for download if you have broadband connections (less than 1 MB per minute). However, they are not edited, and the refresh rate is slow, making animations less than perfect. Finally, the sound is compressed, similar to an overseas cell phone call. We are working to improve these recordings.

Mechanical Simulation continues to provide new live seminars. Information and enrollment for future seminars is on-line.

  • New! Using Simulink With CarSim 7 by Dr. Yukio Watanabe (Recorded March 17, 2008)
  • Building Roads In CarSim by Phil Mather (Recorded February 27, 2008)
  • FMVSS126 Test and CarSim by Dr. Tom Gillespie and Phil Mather (Recorded February 13, 2008)
  • Braking Applications in CarSim and TruckSim by Dr. Tom Gillespie (December 12, 2007)
  • Handling Applications In CarSim by Dr. Tom Gillespie (November 14, 2007) Vehicle response to steering inputs, often thought of as “handling,”
    is the result of complex interactions of many vehicle properties – particularly tires and suspensions. Simulation offers a convenient method for engineers to evaluate performance attributes ranging from low speed maneuverability to rollover resistance at high speeds.

    This web seminar presented some of the performance metrics that are important to turning behavior and illustrated how to evaluate them using simulation. The examples range from simple maneuvers such as curb-to-curb turning tests (to evaluate the effect of steering design on maneuverability), to complex high-speed maneuvers such as required by the FMVSS 126 tests for vehicles with electronic stability control systems. Familiar metrics, such as understeer gradient, will be discussed with the goal of helping the participant understand how such metrics affect performance in the hands of customers.

  • CarSim For Formula SAE by Damon Becker and Phil Mather (September 26, 2007)
  • How To Use Simulink With CarSim 7 by Dr. Yukio Watanabe (July 25, 2007)
  • Events and Extending Your Models Using VehicleSim Commands by David Hall and Phil Mather (July 11, 2007)
  • CarSim 7 by Mike Sayers (March 28, 2007)
  • Introduction to Ride by Dr. Tom Gillespie (February 14, 2007)
  • Mechanics of Steering Systems by Dr. Thomas Gillespie - The steering system is one of the most important systems affecting vehicle handling behavior. Steering torque, compliances, and geometry at the road wheels are critical properties determining performance. This seminar presented the basic mechanics of the steering system, explaining how the properties interact to influence vehicle behavior. Examples from CarSim were used to illustrate the importance of some of the design variables, and show how simulation can be used to explore sources of customer complaints, such as steering pulls. Dr. Thomas D. Gillespie of Mechanical Simulation presented this session (Recorded October 12, 2005).
  • CarSim for Racing by Dr. Thomas Gillespie (Recorded January 11, 2006)
  • Powertrain Applications in CarSim by Dr. Thomas Gillespie This seminar focused on the powertrains used in modern cars and trucks. It examined the modeling of the engine, clutches and torque converter, transmissions and final drive to transform torque from the engine to tractive forces at the drive wheels. These elements determine the power limited acceleration boundaries. On the other hand, traction limited performance is bounded by the forces available at the drive wheels. These forces are functions of powertrain architecture, number of drive wheels, differential types and coefficient of friction. The interaction of all these variants will be explained (Recorded November 1, 2006).
  • The Making of the Motor Trend Simulation by Phil Mather In February 2006, Motor Trend Magazine called Mechanical Simulation with a new and unique proposal: simulate a concept car and pit it against its likely archrival. This led to the cover story for the May 2006 issue: the Chevrolet Camaro Concept vs. the 2006 Ford Mustang. Phil Mather discusses the process that was followed in creating the simulations and the results (April 12, 2006).
  • Introduction to SuspensionSim by Joe Knable SuspensionSim is a multi-body static solver that can be used to model virtually any suspension through the use of available components representing bushings, springs, beams, and bump stops. This seminar provides a brief overview of the software product (May 31, 2006).
  • Advanced SuspensionSim by Joe Knable (recorded July 12, 2006)
  • Introduction to Vehicle Dynamics by Dr. Thomas Gillespie (Recorded June 21, 2006)
  • Introduction to TruckSim by Phil Mather (October 19, 2006)
  • CarSim in Education by Dr. Thomas Gillespie, Damon Becker, and Phil Mather (Recorded October 4, 2006)
  • Introduction to BikeSim by Dr. Yukio Watanabe (Recorded April 21, 2006)

View Recorded Seminars

To view any web seminars you will be redirected to the Webex site. Once there, please click "Recorded Sessions" on the left side. You will be asked for a password, which can be obtained by clicking here.

Animations

The web recordings show full detail but limited motion, with updated images only about once or twice per second. However, we have full-quality animations that can be downloaded from our animation page.

Also, we have high-quality animations and plots on our free multimedia demo CD that you can receive by mail.

Request CarSim demo CD