Pirelli has inaugurated the new static simulator in the Research & Development center in Milan. The technology "has the objective of optimizing the development and testing phases of new tyres, reducing times and strengthening collaboration with car manufacturers through greater interaction between Pirelli and the car manufacturers, of which the Milanese company is a partner". the company said in a statement.
The new simulator reduces the average time needed to develop new tires by 30% thanks to the use of virtual prototypes for different car models. Using the simulation, Pirelli is able to quickly change the parameters during development.
“Compared to more traditional design methods – explains the company – on this simulator it is possible to install the virtual model of the car received from the car manufacturer or reproduce it internally; moreover, joint design and development activities can also be carried out on the car maker simulator, allowing us to be perfectly in line with the development times of car manufacturers, who create new models with ever greater frequency".
This testing process will ultimately make it possible to lower the number of physical tire prototypes produced annually, affecting the company's sustainability in terms of far-reaching benefits.
Simulation has already been used for 10 years for the design and testing of tires in Formula 1 and other motorsport categories. Now this technology and the experience gained by Pirelli's R&D department is also being applied to tires for road use.
“The simulator is manufactured by VI-grade and consists of a cylindrical screen with an extension of 210° and a diameter of 7,5m to visually reproduce the different circuits and driving conditions. The system features a static car in the center of the screen equipped with some active technologies to convey the real behavior of the car to the driver, including: the seat, the steering wheel, the seat belts and various shakers positioned in correspondence with the suspensions and of the engine. Each operation is coordinated by a control room, from which it is possible to enter the parameters of the various technical specifications of the tire and vehicle into the simulator, and monitor the results of the simulated tests.
