New Durability and Vibration Solutions for Functional Virtual Prototyping Highlight ADAMS(R) Version 11.0 from Mechanical Dynamics
16 January 2001
New Durability and Vibration Solutions for Functional Virtual Prototyping Highlight ADAMS(R) Version 11.0 from Mechanical Dynamics
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 16 Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.
, a worldwide provider of software and services for the
functional virtual prototyping market, has significantly expanded the reach of
functional virtual prototyping with the introduction of ADAMS(R) Version 11.0
featuring two new modules -- ADAMS(R)/Durability and ADAMS(R)/Vibration.
"Durability and vibration issues are critical factors in product
development, particularly in the automotive industry," said Robert R. Ryan,
president of Mechanical Dynamics. "Without tools to reduce the need for
physical testing in these two areas, manufacturers are limited in their
ability to shorten development cycles. ADAMS/Durability and ADAMS/Vibration
are two new leading-edge tools to assist manufacturers in further reducing
risk and improving product designs through earlier, better design information.
Engineers will now be able to leverage the virtual prototypes they have
already built in ADAMS for these additional and crucial test areas."
ADAMS/Durability is a new ADAMS module that facilitates virtual prototype
communication through the durability process by interfacing with software from
durability market leaders nCode International and MTS Systems Corporation.
This will facilitate the ability to exchange the necessary information for
efficient fatigue life analysis and for enhanced communication with durability
physical testing.
Durability virtual prototyping will also be enhanced with the release of
Empirical Dynamics(TM) Models (EDM(TM)) -- fast, highly accurate models of
complex suspension components generated from laboratory data, and Virtual Test
Lab (VTL) -- validated, dynamic ADAMS models of standard mechanical test
systems designed and built by MTS. EDM and VTL were developed by MTS in
cooperation with Mechanical Dynamics.
ADAMS/Vibration allows users to study forced vibration within ADAMS models
to identify, isolate, and eliminate system-level vibrations in a design.
Through frequency domain animations, response plots, and contribution tables,
engineers will be able to quickly evaluate design alternatives and reduce the
risk of a design moving forward in the development process with critical
vibration response issues.
The two new ADAMS modules also integrate with Mechanical Dynamics' market-
leading technology, the Functional Digital Car(TM). The Functional Digital
Car is a virtual prototype of a complete vehicle, combining accurate
mathematical model representations of chassis subsystems, engine and driveline
subsystems, and body to create a full virtual vehicle. Vehicle performance
can then be simulated in a virtual test lab environment or on a virtual test
track to replicate real-world behavior. The vehicle can also be integrated
with hardware-in-the-loop simulations to investigate the real-time behavior of
the vehicle with real subsystems such as anti-lock brakes and traction control
systems. Design attributes can be evaluated and optimized, and the results
shared among engineering teams globally.
"The Functional Digital Car is the common framework for integrating
various computer-aided engineering technologies across the development
process," Ryan said. "We are continuing to extend this common framework
concept further into the automotive industry as well as into the aerospace and
rail industries."
ADAMS Version 11.0 features new capabilities and enhancements to
ADAMS(R)/Car and ADAMS(R)/Engine, key components of the Functional Digital
Car. New and improved full-vehicle maneuvers, as well as plug-ins to
ADAMS/Vibration, ADAMS/Durability, and ADAMS(R)/Hydraulics, have been added to
ADAMS/Car. Another new module, ADAMS(R)/Flex Body Generator, allows typical
automotive components, such as twist beams, frames, and valves, to be
parameterized and automatically treated as flexible components within an ADAMS
simulation. In ADAMS/Engine, a new timing belt module and enhanced
capabilities for chain and valve train have been added.
Some other significant 11.0 highlights include new general 3D contact
capabilities in ADAMS(R)/Full Simulation, including a market-leading precise
part-to-part contact response; charting capability within the web browser for
ADAMS(R)/Insight to improve web collaboration; additional models and an
extended railway element library in ADAMS(R)/Rail; and universal binaries in
ADAMS(R)/View that allow models to be shared across computers running various
operating systems.
ADAMS Version 11.0 is currently being shipped on a limited basis. Volume
shipment of ADAMS Version 11.0 is expected to begin in mid-February and
continue through the end of April.
Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation
with its market-leading ADAMS(R) software, and remains committed to extending
the capabilities of this technology to benefit manufacturers in every industry
worldwide. Engineering teams use ADAMS to build and test functional virtual
prototypes of their complex mechanical system designs. Along with getting to
market faster and at lower cost, the company's functional virtual prototyping
solutions provide additional significant benefits: closer integration between
manufacturers and their suppliers; increased communication among design,
analysis, and engineering teams; and the ability to manage the risks of the
design process through more and better information earlier in the cycle.
Mechanical Dynamics also offers extensive implementation services,
including consulting and training. In this way, the company partners with its
customers to help reduce the time, costs, and risks of the product development
process and meet the "Smarter to Market(TM)" challenge.
Additional information about Mechanical Dynamics can be obtained by
writing to the company at 2300 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.
Phone: 734-994-3800. Fax: 734-994-6418. E-mail: info@adams.com . Online:
http://www.adams.com .
ADAMS and the Mechanical Dynamics logo are registered trademarks of
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. All other company, brand, or product names are or
may be trademarks of their respective holders.