2003 User's Conferences are a Huge Success

The 2003 GT-SUITE European User's Conference, held on October 20, 2003 in Frankfurt, was extremely successful. A record number of 122 participants came from all over Europe to listen to user presentations and to interact with other GT-SUITE users and eight members of the GTI staff.

Participants at the 2003 European User's Conference

The five user presentations covered cold start simulations (C. Schernus, FEV), part-load engine modeling for variable valve concepts (O. Scharrer, Adam Opel), transient response of diesel engines (C. Venezia, FIAT Research Center), misfire detection (F. Millo, Politecnico di Torino) and modeling of a Comprex pressure exchanger (L. Pohorelsky, Czech Technical University).

GTI staff presenting new features

There were also presentations by GTI staff about the new features of the upcoming release of GT-SUITE V6.1, scheduled for February 2004. Of particular interest to the participants were:

• Coupled simulations using GT-POWER + GT-FUEL + KIVA
• New Design of Experiments (DOE) capability with built in optimizer
• 3-D manifold viewer/slicer based on STL file
• Frequency-based (linear) acoustics modeling
• Load distribution on multiple CPUs
• VT-DESIGN - graphical valvetrain design tool
• Coupled analysis of crankshaft, gear, camshaft vibrations

New STL-based 3-D manifold viewer/slicer

In the two days following the conference, training classes were held. A total of over 80 users attended three separate classes, and were trained in the basic and advanced use of GT-SUITE, as well as the theory and simulation of turbochargers. The turbo course was led by Dr. Mario Skopil (Wartsila).

Dr. Skopil teaching the turbo course

As usual, the conference was preceded by the very popular evening get-together in the hotel bar where users mingle, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. There were more participants in this event than ever before (and some chose to stay late into the night ...).

The 2003 GT-SUITE US User's Conference, held on November 17, 2003 in Dearborn, was also a big success. A large contingent of users from the largest U.S. engine manufacturers and suppliers came to listen to user presentations and to interact with other GT-SUITE users and nine members of the GTI staff.

Gerry Clark of GM Powertrain presenting a paper for his European colleagues

The program for this conference was similar to that presented in Europe, and the various presentations produced excellent discussion among the attendees.