Every project is unique, and so are the vehicles that navigate them. Whether you’re working on urban street layouts, industrial sites, or logistics centers, accurate vehicle swept path analysis starts with having the right vehicle data. That’s why Kobi Swept Path includes a robust and flexible Vehicle Library system, allowing you to select, manage, and create vehicles tailored to your specific design needs.
Custom Vehicles Made Simple
Adding a custom vehicle to a library is often a challenge – sometimes even a nightmare. In fact, some companies charge additional fees for creating special vehicle types and integrating them into an existing library.
With Kobi Swept Path, the process is different: it’s simple and intuitive.
In the post below, we’ll walk you through how to easily define a custom vehicle using a user-friendly interface that’s designed with efficiency in mind.
Creating Custom Vehicles and Trailers
Once your vehicle library is set up in Kobi Swept Path, adding a custom vehicle is a straightforward process that gives you full control over the parameters used in your swept path analysis.
To begin, open the Vehicle Library and right-click on an existing vehicle to duplicate it. This creates a copy that you can modify while retaining the original configuration. In the Vehicle Information dialog, assign a new name to the vehicle and place it within the appropriate library for easy organization.
Next, open the Vehicle Settings dialog to begin defining the core parameters of your vehicle. The process starts by selecting the vehicle type. Kobi Swept Path offers a wide range of predefined types, each with specific structural and steering attributes relevant to how the vehicle behaves in a simulated path. These options ensure that both geometry and functionality align with real-world vehicle behavior.
Under the Vehicle Body tab, you can define essential parameters such as the wheelbase, which is the distance between the centers of the front and rear axles, and the front overhang, which is the distance from the front bumper to the front axle. You can also specify the total length of the vehicle, its height, ground clearance, and width. These dimensions are supported by intuitive vehicle diagrams that help you clearly interpret each setting.
Next, you can configure the front and rear axle parameters. This includes the number of wheels on each side, wheel track, tire diameter, tire width, and the offset from the previous axle. You can also define the axle type – turning or fixed – and adjust the effective wheelbase (EWB), which reflects the vehicle’s real turning behavior. Note that this option is locked if the axle is fixed.
You can adjust steering parameters under the Steering tab and define the lock-to-lock time forward. Lock-to-lock time is the time it takes to turn the steering from full left to full right. A toggle lets you choose how to enter the maximum steering angle. You can input it directly or indirectly using values like curb-to-curb turning radius, wall-to-wall radius, or maximum wheel angle. These options define how sharply the vehicle can turn and are essential for validating performance in constrained layouts.
In the Couplings tab, you can configure connection points between vehicle units. The front coupling option is only available for trailers or secondary units. If enabled, Kobi Swept Path automatically places the front coupling point to ensure the trailer connects correctly to the preceding vehicle unit.
If your vehicle requires one or more trailers, you can be add them with just a few clicks. In the Vehicle Library, right-click on the vehicle and select Edit. Select the Add Trailer button to choose the trailer type (Basic Trailer, Semi-Trailer, or Drawbar). After adding it, click Edit again in the Vehicle Information dialog to open the Vehicle Settings for the trailer.
Under the Vehicle Body tab, you can define all relevant trailer parameters. These will vary depending on the trailer type selected but generally include axle configurations, dimensions, and coupling information.
This process helps you build detailed and accurate vehicle models. As a result, your swept path analysis becomes more reliable and tailored to each project. Whether you’re simulating fire trucks, delivery vehicles, or custom equipment, Kobi Swept Path makes sure vehicle behavior matches real-world conditions.
You can find more information about the vehicle library here.
Download Kobi Swept Path and support your architectural and design decisions with reliable data and precise simulations.
