A new version of SimMechanics has been introduced by MathWorks that enables users to create realistic parts and geometry by utilising Matlab. Engineers in industries such as aerospace and defence, automotive and industrial automation and machinery can model 3D mechanical systems in a Simulink block diagram using bodies, joints, constraints and force elements. Aiding the detection of integration issues between electrical, mechanical and control systems early in the development process before any physical hardware is built, the models can connect to Simscape and other Simulink products for physical modelling, such as SimElectronics and SimHydraulics.
Further shortening the modelling process, SimMechanics automatically creates a 3D animation during simulation that can be replayed without rerunning the simulation. This enables engineers to reuse their custom parts and mechanisms in new designs. Additional features include the automatic calculation of mass and inertia tensor for ensuring accurate models, the visualisation and animation of multibody system dynamics with 3D geometry for rapid analysis of simulation results, and block diagram representation for clearly documenting connections to other parts.
