Ferrari using ANSYS' Innovative Tech to Improve Racing

Automobile Racing R&D is an ongoing process and with the current level of competition and technological advancement, it is a necessity for car race teams to adapt to innovative technical solutions. Auto races can stretch from 6 to 24 hours, and thus car reliability is extremely crucial. This can be improved by fast and accurate simulations. The use of the latest technology is the best approach to handle such intricacies. Currently, there are major technology players in the market which provide simulation solutions to car engineers so that they can perform evaluations across various operating variables.

Ferrari claimed the title of FIA World Endurance Championship drivers', teams' and manufacturers' in the GTE Pro class. This was made possible by ANSYS computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions. The simulations provided by ANSYS assisted Ferrari’s engineers to extensively automate the simulation process and run multiple design iterations thus improving speed, reliability, and safety.

About ANSYS

ANSYS provides technology that helps organizations predict with confidence about the success of their products in the real world. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, US, ANSYS has a skilled workforce. The employees are experts in the engineering fields of computational fluid dynamics, system simulation, design optimization, finite element analysis, embedded software, electronics, and electromagnetics. This helps ANSYS’ customers to gain insight into their design challenges through quick, reliable and accurate engineering simulation.

Ferrari uses ANSYS’ tools of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This software assists in the suspension system, brake cooling systems and full-body dynamics. There are many success stories revolving around the use of these simulation tools, for instance, with the help of these simulations the automobile part that had been breaking up in less than 6000 km of use is optimized to use as many as 10,000 km.

The Process

ANSYS’ CFD tool, assisted AF Corse engineers to optimize car’s side view mirrors such that car’s aerodynamic is maintained without disrupting rear engine airflow but still feeding diverted air into rear brake cooling inlets. It is extremely important to ensure that the net downward force is maintained at high speeds. This is ensured through the computation of air flow for various operating speeds and conditions. Maintaining stability at every speed and turn is very critical for winning the race. Through the use of ANSYS, one can see the behavior of the car during the design stages and make changes necessary to ensure performance in actual.

Design of such high-end race cars requires an intensive computation of Multiphysics. The high-speed operation exposes the components and systems to an extreme level of conditions. To withstand extreme operating conditions, the brakes have to be powerful, the engine has to be highly responsive and while doing this the weight of the car has to be kept at the minimum possible. Evaluating these extreme operating conditions require highly reliable, accurate and fast computing simulation tools. ANSYS’ has suite of High-Performance Computing (HPC) tools that can be trusted for designing high-end engineering products such as Ferrari.

Collaborators

For more than 15 years Ferrari has worked with ANSYS CFD and FEA solutions to optimize its GT category racecars. This has made ANSYS an official Ferrari GT Championships Sponsor Partner. Ferrari and ANSYS work in harmony where Ferrari provides suggestions and ANSYS develops the code and then works on feedback provided.

ANSYS has more than 75 sales locations across the globe with network channel partners in 40+ countries. Also, it has a strong presence over the popular media channels. To know more about its solutions, products, solutions and simulation conversation you can visit the ANSYS website.