MODELLING AND SIMULATION
Moving with the times
THE WORLD OF MULTIBODY DYNAMICS SIMULATION IS CHANGING, WRITES GEMMA CHURCH
Additive manufacturing (AM) is finally opening up new possibilities for engineers to
create components and subsystems enabling rapid prototyping and novel designs that can help to accelerate innovation. Software plays a key role in the maturation of this market with rapid increases in the complexity of parts and the materials and methods used to create new components with AM. Multibody Dynamics (MBD) simulations
are now a vital tool for today’s engineers to help understand and improve the performance of a vast range of dynamic systems, helping them to address many ongoing challenges in the design and development process. Francois Barral, Director of Simulia Multibody Systems Industry Process Consulting at Dassault Systèmes, explains: ‘Product development teams face increased pressure from global competition and government regulations, which require product development organisations to create new, energy- efficient, safe and reliable products
The new Adams Modeler UX makes Adams more accessible and reduced prep time by at least 20 per cent for this robot
in ever-shorter time frames. Products are also becoming more complex, with electronic and software controls combined with the mechanical system. To meet these many demanding challenges, organisations are increasing their use of MBD simulation, which helps them replace physical testing with virtual prototypes.’ MBD simulation can be applied to almost
any branch of mechanical engineering, but it is regularly used across automotive, railway and wind-energy industrial sectors. And these multibody systems must often work across a broad range of applications and scenarios, all of which can affect their functional requirements. For example, an automotive braking
system may need to work across numerous vehicle types from many manufacturers. In construction, a machine may need to excavate different types of material or undergo rigorous safety tests. Japan-based crane manufacturer
Flexible bodies in a gearbox shown in Adams 26 Scientific Computing World Summer 2022
Tadano, for example, uses multibody dynamics to help accelerate and validate its R&D process, while providing a safe environment for operators. Barral explains: ‘A crane boom that is equal to an arm of a crane can cause boom-crane deflection and load wing when it attempts to lift a load. To
understand the physical property of a load swing and how cranes are used at construction sites, it is essential to consider the control method of a load swing. However, designers are not allowed to enter construction sites where cranes are at work due to ‘hazardous areas’.’ Using Dassault Systèmes’ Simpack multibody dynamic simulation software, Tadano could simulate large-scale 3D vehicle models, reduce a company’s manufacturing prototype costs and time for rework ‘significantly’, according to Barral. ‘It was crucial for engineers to generate and analyse a physical model for structures based on accurate design information. Simpack is now being used to develop a model for major types of rough terrain cranes that are a mainstay product of Tadano.’ MBD is even helping our washing machines run more efficiently. Recently, Altair MotionSolve was used to simulate the motion dynamics of the washer drum, including the balance ring and the suspension system. An idealised motor model was used to define the various spin speeds of the washing machine during agitation and spin cycles. Combined with Altair’s other simulation and modelling tools, consumer appliance company Mabe
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