Specialized Engine Simulation Product Highlights ADAMS 10.0 From Mechanical Dynamics
23 August 1999
Specialized Engine Simulation Product Highlights ADAMS 10.0 From Mechanical Dynamics
Other Enhancements Extend Company's Virtual Prototyping Solutions
In Targeted Industries
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 23 -- Enhancements to the industry-
leading ADAMS(R) mechanical system simulation software -- part of ADAMS
Version 10.0, just released by Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. --
significantly expand the capabilities available to the software's users,
particularly those in the company's targeted automotive, aerospace, and heavy
machinery industries.
Highlighting ADAMS 10.0 is the specialized ADAMS(R)/Engine simulation
environment, which enables an automotive engineering team to predict, refine,
and optimize the performance of powertrain systems as part of an overall
vehicle design. Another new offering, ADAMS(R)/Hydraulics, lets users
accurately simulate the operational behavior of complex mechanical systems
powered by hydraulic elements.
"With these new ADAMS 10.0 capabilities, we're providing more
comprehensive solutions for system-level virtual prototyping than ever
before," said Pamela J. Emery, Mechanical Dynamics' vice president of
marketing and customer support. "ADAMS/Engine extends our recognized
expertise in vehicle dynamics and suspension design, while ADAMS/Hydraulics
offers a crucial link between mechanical system simulation and hydraulic
system design."
The release of ADAMS/Engine culminates a nearly two-year effort that began
when Volkswagen and Audi approached Mechanical Dynamics about creating a
specialized powertrain simulation tool. The consortium of companies providing
guidance on the project later expanded to include French automaker Renault;
Ina, a German manufacturer of bearings and hydraulic lash adjusters; and IAV,
a German company offering powertrain engineering services.
"The consortium members provided valuable insight into what automotive
companies need for effective, accurate powertrain simulation," Emery said.
"Because automakers have been limited by having to use distinct tools for
specific portions of powertrain design, simulating a complete engine has been
nearly impossible. Now, within the ADAMS/Engine environment, an engineering
team can build, test, refine, and optimize complete powertrain designs more
quickly and easily than ever before."
The initial Version 10.0 release of ADAMS/Engine provides specialized
utilities for valve train simulation. Future ADAMS/Engine modules will focus
on the design and testing of engine timing mechanisms, belts, cranks, and
pistons.
The new ADAMS/Hydraulics module helps users smoothly integrate system-
level motion simulation with hydraulic system design. Prime examples of these
systems include backhoes and other off-highway equipment, automotive braking
and steering systems, and aircraft landing gear. According to Emery, "These
are the types of products in which knowing the effects of hydraulics on the
mechanical system is critical. The ability to simulate the total system
through virtual prototyping, complete with hydraulic circuits, benefits
customers by shortening the development cycle, reducing the need for costly
physical prototypes, and allowing for design refinement early in the process."
Also new in ADAMS 10.0 is ADAMS(R)/PostProcessor, a visualization tool
allowing synchronized study of ADAMS simulation results in animation and
graphs. "This tool simplifies and speeds the steps required to view and
understand mechanical designs in motion," said Emery. "Visualization is
easier and more intuitive, and communication among engineering, design, and
analysis teams can be greatly enhanced."
Other ADAMS 10.0 highlights include improvements to the core ADAMS dynamic
solver for more robust high-frequency simulations; new assembly interface
enhancements and improved suspension analysis in the ADAMS/Car simulation
environment; and control system integration for CAT/ADAMS, Mechanical
Dynamics' interface to Dassault Systemes' popular CATIA computer-aided design
software.
Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation,
and has remained focused on this technology since its founding in 1977.
Thousands of engineering teams in nearly every manufacturing industry use the
company's ADAMS software to build and test virtual prototypes, realistically
simulating on their computers the full-motion behavior of complex mechanical
system designs. Using ADAMS can help manufacturers reduce the number of
costly physical prototypes, improve design quality, and significantly shorten
product development cycles.
Additional information about Mechanical Dynamics can be obtained by
writing to the company at 2301 Commonwealth Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan
48105. Phone: 734-994-3800. Fax: 734-994-6418. E-mail: info@adams.com.
World Wide Web: http://www.adams.com.
ADAMS and the Mechanical Dynamics logo are registered trademarks of
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. All other company, brand, and product names are or
may be trademarks of their respective holders.