Endurica, Coreform at center of DOE's tire tread research

FINDLAY, Ohio—Endurica L.L.C. continues to draw attention for its simulated tire evaluation capabilities, this time from the Department of Energy for work on tire tread pattern predictions.

The Findlay-based company was selected July 14 as a partner in a DOE project to explore simulated tire tread patterns, a crucial step to understanding tires that are emerging in the electrical vehicle space.

"Coreform's technology promises to revolutionize simulations involving complex geometry," said Will Mars, founder and president of Endurica. "And tire tread patterns are an extremely important example of complex geometry.

"We are honored to be included in this important research for both the DOE and the tire industry."

Coreform, based in Utah, has developed computer simulation technology known as isogeometric analysis that replaces complex and time-consuming portions of computer simulation that is traditionally done through finite element analysis.

Specifically, Endurica will apply Coreform's IGA in evaluations of rolling resistance, heat buildup and wear behavior in tire treads.According to Mars, the software developed by Coreform "provides greater design clarity and detail."

And with the exploratory grant accompanying the project for Endurica, the company will be able to provide key tire performance evaluations to the entire industry once testing is complete.

"Greater use of predictive simulation analysis for advanced tire tread designs will reduce the cost of product development and accelerate the adoption of both electric and self-driving cars," Matthew Sederberg, Coreform chief strategy officer, said in a statement. "We anticipate this project will help the tire industry develop innovative tread patterns to reduce noise and improve energy efficiency."

Finite element analysis requires geometry to be "defeatured and meshed" before it can be completed, according to Mars.

IGA, developed in 2005, runs directly on a given design model, in this case sample tire treads, using splines. Splines are a special math function defined piecewise by polynomials, used in interpolating problems.

Most importantly for Endurica, IGA allows engineers to minimize the time to achieve whatever solution is being sought.

"Down the road, that will mean fewer particulate emissions, longer life and better energy efficiency for all of us," said Greg Vernon, director of engineering at Coreform.

More information about Coreform's simulation technology and the Coreform IGA solver can be found at www.coreform.com.

Coreform, founded in 2014, develops computer-aided engineering software and has had many researchers cited in academic articles and publications.

Since its founding in 2008, Endurica has adopted the motto "How Long Will It Last?" and works in simulation, material characterization and fatigue testing.