Kinematics and dynamics calculator software#

Such functions can provide an envelope of movement that can be used to design housings or ensure clearances.

Or, the system can leave copies of the geometry at specified intervals. The motion of a joint or a particular point on a part can be plotted in 3D as a line or surface. Trace functions provide additional information about motion. More useful, however, are systems that turn the interference volume into a separate piece of geometry, which can then be used to modify the parts to eliminate the interference. Most systems provide color feedback, for example, by turning to red parts that experience interferences.

Kinematics and dynamics calculator software#

The ability to detect and fix interferences without switching between software is one of the primary benefits of integrating motion simulation and CAD. More sophisticated animations can show motion from critical angles or even inside of parts, a definite advantage over building and running a physical prototype. Initially, the designer uses simple animation as a visual evaluation of motion to see if it is what is desired. Animated motions are the classic output of simple kinematic analyses. The basic output of motion studies are numerous, including animation, detecting interference, trace functions, basic motion data, and plots and graphs.

Produce animations for output to video or for posting on web sites to show customers and clients how products will actually work-not just provide a set of pictures of how it might work.

Calculate required specifications for motors, springs, actuators, etc.

Generate accurate load information for improved structural analysis.

Create animations of assembly sequences to plan efficient manufacturing.

Plot motion envelopes for designing housings and ensuring clearances.

Verify an entire mechanical system with numerous, even unrelated, moving components.

Find interferences among moving parts and fix them.

View physically realistic animations to detect problems and to study aesthetics.

Simulate mechanisms to help develop workable designs.

Similarly, studying the motion of moving mechanisms and assemblies is rapidly becoming almost a “free” byproduct of solid modeling, helping engineers to do the following: You can practically create working drawings automatically, rendering models that closely resemble the real objects and generating physical models from rapid prototyping equipment. One of the reasons for the popularity of solid modeling is that it sets the stage for many applications. Most solvers are available as independent software programs. Even though today’s programs are much more interactive, most programs follow this basic process since it is a logical way to solve the problem.

Traditionally, kinematics and dynamics have followed the classic analysis software method of preprocessing (preparing the data), solving (running the solution algorithms, which involve the solution of simultaneous equations), and postprocessing (analyzing the results). Generally, kinematic simulations help evaluate form, while dynamic simulations assists in analyzing function. But dynamics are often required to accurately simulate the actual motion of a mechanical system. Many basic kinematic packages, however, go a step further by providing “reaction forces,” forces that result from the motion.ĭynamic simulation is more complex because the problem needs to be further defined and more data is needed to account for the forces. This technology is useful for simulating steady-state motion (with no acceleration), as well as for evaluating motion for interference purposes, such as assembly sequences of complex mechanical system. Kinematic simulations show the physical positions of all the parts in an assembly with respect to the time as it goes through a cycle. Kinematic analysis is a simpler task than dynamic analysis and is adequate for many applications involving moving parts. Other closely related terms for the same types of studies are multibody dynamics, mechanical system simulation, and even virtual prototyping. Kinematics is the study of motion without regard to forces that cause it dynamics is the study of motions that result from forces. Traditionally, motion studies have been divided into two categories: kinematics and dynamics. “Motion study” is a catch-all term for simulating and analyzing the movement of mechanical assemblies and mechanisms.