True integration puts system-level simulation into component-focused CAD

NASA Tech Briefs, Oct 2000 by Wegienka, Alan

Preserve as You Upgrade

There are embedded mechanical design simulation solutions for high-end CAD environments (such as CATIA, IDEAS, Unigraphics, and Pro/ENGINEER), as well as for the most popular mid-range CAD systems (Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, SolidWorks, and Solid Edge).

In the mid-range arena, CAD-embedded simulation software provides increasingly sophisticated answers to the "Does it work?" question. One easily can upgrade within the product family, and as the upgrade is done, a manufacturer preserves its investments in training and previously created information because all of the products share a common user interface and data structure, and all interact with the CAD system in the same manner.

The most basic CAD-embedded mechanical design simulation software allows functional evaluation of designs containing linkages, motors, actuators, springs, and other basic components. Designers create realistic animations of their mechanical assemblies in operation, then check for interference among all components.

More advanced solutions allow designers to evaluate assemblies with added complexity, including cams, gears, latches, and contact. Designers not only can create animations and detect moving interference, they also can obtain basic performance information such as linear and angular displacements, and part velocities and accelerations. These data can be studied graphically and through XY plots.

The top-of-the-line CAD-embedded mechanical design simulation software provides capabilities at the next level, allowing designers to size motors and actuators, determine power consumption, and generate loads for FEA. This gives a design team the most complete answer to the "Does it work?" question, while also providing structural analysis data critical to determining "Will it break?"

For more information, contact the author of this article, Alan Wegienka, director of the Design Technologies Division of Mechanical Dynamics, Ann Arbor, MI; Tel. 734-9942500; or visit www.designtechnologies.com.