Moog Driving Simulator Heightens Reality of Virtual Test Laps for Ferrari Drivers

Moog Industrial Group has delivered a new testing simulator to Scuderia Ferrari in the Gestione Sportiva at Maranello, Italy.

Two years in development, the new Ferrari F1 dynamic driving simulator features a customized motion control solution with combined motion mechanism, control loading system, complete software package, cockpit and dedicated operator workstation. A crucial requirement was that the system needed to operate at a higher frequency bandwidth compared to conventional systems.

Aldo Costa , Technical Director, Racing Department F1 Ferrari and Pim van den Dijssel, European Business Manager, Moog at Ferrari

Ferrari selected Moog to provide an integrated flexible motion control and testing system designed to meet specific and highly demanding requirements. The project development entailed a bilateral exchange of expertise to overcome technical challenges. In particular, addressing the latency and high bandwidth requirements of the simulator led to advances in the use of carbon fiber composite materials in the structure to create more stiffness and lower weight.

Marco Fainello, Head of the Car Performance Department for Scuderia Ferrari, stated: “The dynamic driving simulator completely meets our specifications and expectations for a system that can test car designs as well as train drivers. Working closely with Moog during the two years of development on this system has helped us realize the maximum benefit from high performance simulated motion control.”

Ferrari test-drivers are already using the new simulator which offers them a heightened sense of driving reality as well as highly responsive and immediate feedback on their actions.

“The driving simulator is being used to test current and future car designs and train new drivers on multiple F1 circuits. In both these training scenarios we cut track time and can plan training with more certainty without wondering about weather forecasts,” added Fainello.

The driving simulator simulates real race track conditions and is used to test different aspects of the car such as wings and brake settings that affect performance. The high fidelity of the simulator allows the pilot to feel the difference that modifications to a part or component of the car can produce without the high acceleration of a real test drive. Moreover, driver training is no longer restricted, saving both time and money, while respecting new regulations.

Pim van den Dijssel, business manager Europe, for Moog, added, “We worked closely with Ferrari’s engineering team during the development of the driving simulator in our facility and we are delighted to hear positive feedback from Ferrari’s drivers now using the system.”

Ferrari required the simulator to run at mechanical frequencies high enough to help drivers get the most accurate feel of the car’s behavior and create much higher velocity and acceleration than standard systems. This represented one of the most challenging aspects of the project and resulted in Moog designing new actuators in order to deliver the desired strength and stiffness at lower weight. Low weight, stiffness and rigidity of the cockpit cabin were also important.

High bandwidth and less latency make brake and steering more responsive, creating the high fidelity test drivers need to correctly feel and assess the car’s behavior.

The test pilot is seated in front of a screen providing a viewing angle of more than 180°. Ten multiprocessor computers control the system with a total 60 GB of RAM producing around 5 GB of data per day. It features a 3,500 Watt Dolby Surround 7.1 sound system.

“We are delighted with the success of this dynamic driving simulator for Ferrari. Engineering hardware and human-in-the-loop (H2IL) testing solutions in a driving simulator is an area in which we have over 20 years experience, since Moog pioneered advanced cueing technology. Using Ferrari’s software model, we can achieve enhanced fidelity through advanced platform kinematics and optimized motion cues,” continued van den Dijssel.

Moog motion control expertise has well been at stake in developing this leading edge driving simulator that used every detail of the mechanical design as a key to improve overall system performance, as well as the comfort and security of drivers. This dynamic driving simulator can definitely support the new breed of test Ferrari is planning to launch to support their future success.

Moog
www.moog.com

::Design World::