Collaborative design and simulation for steering linkage

Collaborative design refers to the application of simulation technology in design of products, which means not physical prototype but Virtual Prototype was made to study the static and dynamic performance of the products. With collaborative design and simulation, lower cost, higher quality and shorter design cycle can be expected. The aim of collaborative design is to provide an open, distribute and collaborative environment that will integrate all phases of product circle together. An example of collaborative design of truck´s steering linkage is demonstrated in this paper since a severe sideslip was reported on front wheel steering of SGA 3550 32 tons dump truck while performing prototype testing. A kinematic multi-body model of steering linkage is built using MSC.ADAMS. Parametric is executed to optimize in order to satisfy the perfect Ackerman relationship. To avoid tie rod fracture of steering linkage, a rigid-flexible coupled model of steering linkage is established and maximum stress status of tie rod is analyzed. The results revealed that the maximum stress of tie rod doesn´t exceed the permitted working stress strength.