The Virtual Tire Lab has been launched by Smithers, a provider of testing, consulting, information and compliance services, and Stackpole Engineering Services, which specializes in tire and vehicle development technology.
Virtual Tire Lab is toolset for analyzing raw data and comparing, contrasting and adjusting virtual tire models for use in design analysis, simulation and model certification.
It uses an annual subscription model to provide clients with access to a library of passenger and light truck tire models, which includes a variety of popular brands, sizes and categories such as all-weather, all-season and EV-specific tires. Further models will be added to the Lab library during the subscription period. All models are MF6.2 UM14 Handling Models.
Dr Jim Popio, vice president of Smithers’ materials science and engineering division, said, “Recognizing a shared opportunity, Smithers and Stackpole Engineering Services have combined forces to accelerate our clients’ market entry through this venture.
“Virtual Tire Lab combines nearly 100 years of tire testing expertise from Smithers with both companies’ extensive knowledge of intricate, high-resolution tire models for various vehicle types. The two companies have been working together for several decades to bring tire modeling solutions to a variety of clients across the tire and automotive industries.”
The Virtual Tire Lab subscription also includes an annual license to Agile Tire, Stackpole’s tire data analysis and modeling software. “Users can also leverage Agile Tire to modify tire model parameters and export models compatible with vehicle simulation software and driver-in-the-loop (DiL) simulators,” said Michael Stackpole, president and founder of Stackpole Engineering Services.
The companies state that the Virtual Tire Lab is a valuable tool for vehicle OEM development teams; tire manufacturers aiming to benchmark diverse models; and tier suppliers of suspension, powertrain, braking and steering systems that are seeking to better understand how various tires interact with their systems earlier in the design process.
