Case Study: FMTC reduces fuel use 25% and cuts TCO 15% with MathWorks Model‑Based Design (MATLAB & Simulink)

FMTC Designs and Optimizes a Hybrid Hydrostatic Drivetrain with Model-Based Design

FMTC (Flanders’ Mechatronics Technology Centre) needed to evaluate different energy‑storage options for a hybrid hydrostatic drivetrain to identify the lowest total cost of ownership, but physically integrating and testing each option would have taken months. To accelerate design and optimization, FMTC used MathWorks tools—MATLAB, Simulink, Simscape (and Simscape Fluids) and Optimization Toolbox—applying Model‑Based Design to compare architectures and develop the required control systems.

Using MathWorks’ toolchain, FMTC built component and system models, estimated parameters from lab measurements, and integrated supercapacitor+DC‑DC and hydraulic accumulator subsystems into closed‑loop simulations with optimized controllers. The MathWorks-based workflow showed hydraulic storage outperformed electric storage, cut analysis time by about 75%, reduced fuel use by 25%, and lowered total cost of ownership roughly 15–20%.

FMTC

Rachel Honoway

FMTC