MathWorks SimMechanics

MathWorks has announced an updated version of SimMechanics that enables users to create realistic parts and geometry by leveraging MATLAB. SimMechanics automatically creates a 3D animation during simulation that can be replayed without re-running the simulation. Engineers can re-use their custom parts and mechanisms in new designs, thus shortening the modelling process.

With SimMechanics, 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. SimMechanics models can connect to Simscape and other Simulink products for physical modelling, such as SimElectronics and SimHydraulics. This helps engineers to detect integration issues between electrical, mechanical and control systems early in the development process before any physical hardware is built.

Additional key features include: rigid body definition using standard geometry and custom extrusions defined in MATLAB for quickly prototyping mechanical parts; automatic calculation of mass and inertia tensors for ensuring accurate models; visualisation and animation of multibody system dynamics with 3D geometry for rapid analysis of simulation results; the ability to enter exact and approximate state targets for simplifying the specification of the initial state; block diagram representation for clearly documenting connections to other parts; and Simulink libraries for sharing and re-use of parts and mechanisms.