Just been reading a bit in Competition Car Suspension about making your own suspension string computer and wondered if anyone had tried this? Or is there an eaiser electronic solution?
When you say "string computer", what do you mean by computer? Is this what you're looking for per chance? http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232660
Not quite Chris. It is a basic mock up of the front suspension in either ply-wood or cardboard then you use string to determin the roll center. You can then move the wheel through either bump or compression and track the movement / angles / geometry. Then you can simply move the string to see what changing different components ( wishbone length / mounting points / wheel offset ect ) will do to the suspension with out the need for making / changing parts on the car only to find your no better off. Is accurate to about 1-2mm apparently. I'll try and sort out a picture...
Can use a 3D CAD package, solidworks,catia etc. Although if you cant use that software already then a physical mockup would be easier than learning CAD.
it is a amazing book had it at least 5 years - read many a time! I have most of my measurments ready to make one, just one of those things I keep getting round to doing on these winter months
Right I'm back on this now... Collecting dimensions / measurements at the mo so should hopefully get a fully working model in the next week or so. Just out of curiosity what measurments did you take Crispy? I got about a page full already.
Ok, I have taken all the dimensions needed for the string computer and will hopefully get it sorted by the weekend. This is what I will be making:-
I do have autocad but I'm not that experienced with it so takes me ages to do anything but I've got a feeling it will be easier to read the results from the string computer. It may look a little Blue Peter but it is supposed to work really well.
So this is an off-car model designed to replicate pick up points, with a scale behind it to observe changes?
Correct, it allows you to plot the roll center through roll, bump and rebound. I thought I had enough hardboad to make one but still need to get down to B&Q to get a bit more. Will have it done by the this time next week.
Not sure on the scale yet. I've drawn the front suspension in 10th scale and have calculated that the swing axle length is just under 10 meters. If I use 100% I'm going to be needing a lot of string!
String computer is now done check it out here --->http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204978&page=6