Light Weighting of Two-Wheeler Frame with CAE - Multi Domain Optimization (MDO)

Light weighting in the automotive industry without the use of finite element methodologies is now inconceivable. With the development and enhancement of various CAE tools available, CAE-driven optimization has become part of the product development cycle. Using a variety of CAE techniques in a lightweight optimization process can significantly reduce product development lead time with good results. Traditional light weighting can be done through different iterative approaches with different manual inputs from cross-domain teams, which is usually time consuming and leads to repeated analysis. This method describes the case of a multi-domain optimization approach with the reduction of the frame weight of an e-scooter while considering important cross-domain load cases using CAE. For frame optimization, the important load cases such as Durability/Strength (Normal and Abusive), and NVH (Stiffness, Modes and Vibration) - were taken into account. This Multi Domain/Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) approach has resulted in significant weight savings in the final product, also in reducing the product lead time and cost.