Vehicle Dynamics Engineers - Movers and shakers

Dr. M. Sathya Prasad, November 14, 2009

Ah! What a subject – This Vehicle Dynamics!

Of ride and handling, it’s a delectable mix.

Camber and toe, scrub and caster,

Understand this well; travel safer and faster.

Stiffness and damping; rebound and jounce;

Get it all right and travel without bounce.

Design great shocks for a cushioned ride,

Then in full comfort you may abide.

Center of gravity; center of roll,

Inertia and masses, many a design goal!

Create a great suspension,

Make your vehicle shun suspense!

Independent or beam, mere spring or majestic strut,

Just choose what you trust; use whatever you must.

Snug fitting bushings out of India rubber;

Makes a great rider out of even a dumb lubber!

Double wish-bone and a stout axle arm,

Along with torsion-bar can cause no harm!

Tubeless or with tube, radial or biased ply,

Fix, inflate and enjoy it, don’t feel shy!

Forge, Pour (no pore), stamp, fabricate; Do what you feel,

Lighten weight – mix aluminum with steel –No big deal!

A well-tuned vehicle can never sway, 

Using CAE is important; believe me, I say!

Ensconced well amidst engine and steering linkage,

The whole world wonders at your suspension package.

No over-steer, no under-steer;

Just the right handling, have no fear.

Even in less tidy roads with waves and tides,

Yours indeed would be the smoothest rides.

Active or passive or something in between,

Air-bag or leaf-spring, just protect the sheen!

Grease it; paint it; shield it from grime and grit,

Buff and polish it; may even chrome plate it!

Good ride and handling is worth what you pay,

Connect with your vehicle and stay from harm’s way!

Vehicle Dynamics Engineers – I am fully sold,

Are movers and shakers of this mobile world!

Your efforts to create comfort – whatever it takes,

Helps make a world that moves, but never shakes!