Maplesoft Tool Models and Simulates Multibody Systems

By DE Editors

Maplesoft(Waterloo, ONT) has released DynaFlexPro, its Maple-based design toolthat uses symbolic computation methods to derive the system equationsof complex mechanical multibody systems. Maple says that unlike othermultibody design tools that use purely numeric solvers, DynaFlexProgenerates solutions that are exact, compact, and efficient forreal-time implementation, at a fraction of the cost.

Designed by MotionPro Inc., and launched under the MapleConnect Premierprogram, DynaFlexPro is the result of years of research anddevelopment, with applications in complex mechanisms, vehiclesuspensions, stability control, trains, articulated vehicles, vibrationanalysis, robotics, biomedical prosthesis design, and piano mechanisms.

Other tools introduce errors in analysis and the analysis is too slowfor implementation in a real-time simulator. In addition, models areoften difficult to parameterize. DynaFlexPro solves these problems byusing Maple to symbolically generate the equations of motion for themechanism. This results in an exact-form representation of themechanical system that is completely parameterized, error-free, andquick to evaluate when numeric data is introduced, making the modelideal for real-time use. The Maple code generation capability can beused to export the model to other tools such as MATLAB/Simulink,MATRIXx/SystemBuild, and LabVIEW.

"DynaFlexPro is a classic example of how symbolic solvers cancompletely change the way engineering design is carried out," said PaulGoossens, director of Commercial Market Development at Maplesoft."Anyone who has first-hand experience of the limitations ofcurrently-available multibody software packages that employ purelynumerical approaches will find this tool to be invaluable."

Maple 10 is required to use DynaFlexPro. Price: $3,990 (Maple 10 andDynaFlexPro); $1,995 (current Maple 10 users). For more information,visit maplesoft.com.