Cab, powertrain, interior equipment: very similar to the development of automobiles, trucks and buses meets the same challenges, but on a larger scale.

Cab

The cab is one of the main elements of this type of vehicle. The use of prototypes and testing in this area represent a significant investment; numerical simulation can optimise designs and improve passive safety in the cab. We regularly work with manufacturers, OEMs and materials producers (steel, aluminium and composite) to offer innovative structural concepts that improve the technical performance of vans while reducing production costs and the ecological impact of these vehicles.

Chassis and suspension

Bus and truck manufacturers are developing their new vehicles using rolling data from their existing range. This data makes it possible to optimise the vehicle's dynamic behaviour. Just like an automobile, the ground link includes many active safety devices such as the ever-improving regulation and driver assistance systems (ADAS). The tools at our disposal allow us to optimise the chassis to ensure safety and driving comfort while minimising power losses.

Motorisation

The development of a propulsion system is a very demanding area where many challenges must be met, from the reduction of pollutant emissions to the reduction of energy consumption while improving the mechanical performance. Our expertise in numerical simulation can provide the key players in this sector precise and reliable tools to develop and optimise the energy efficiency of thermal, electric or specific hybrid engines.

Other equipment

The number of pieces of equipment in a van is very important, passive safety elements (airbags) or plastic elements such as dashboards, air ducts or tanks, all require advanced development phases. CIMES can intervene at all levels to optimise your equipment, from their mechanical strength to the acoustic and vibratory comfort of the passenger compartment to electromagnetic compatibility.

Our actions

Initial design and lightweight design

  • Research of innovative structural concepts
  • Feasibility multi-material parts (steel, aluminium, composites)
  • Welded, riveted, bolted or glued joints

Multibody dynamics

  • Vehicle dynamic behaviour
  • Driving safety and comfort
  • Subsystem analysis
  • Biomechanical analysis of mannequins
  • Fatigue, vibrations

Crash and safety

  • Truck- and bus-specific crash simulations
  • NVH simulations
  • Sustainability
  • Body stiffness
  • NVH and crash multi-criteria optimisation (topological and parametric)

CFD, external and internal aerodynamics, heat exchange

  • Coefficients of drag on vehicle
  • Radiator and thermal under-hood cooling performance
  • Air intake pressure loss
  • Exhaust treatment
  • Interior climate control
  • Thermal components: motor, viewing lights

Acoustics / Electromagnetism

  • Vibroacoustic simulation
  • Electromagnetic compatability (EMC)

Tests

  • Comfort: semi-anechoic chamber, aeraulic bench
  • Climate ageing
  • Test follow-up
  • Correlation of test calculations

Respect of norms and standards

  • ECE standards
  • Pollution and emissions
  • Euro standards