MODELING DYNAMIC MECHANICAL SYSTEMS.

Today, more vendors are providing products for the personal computer (PC). The products primarily solve design and synthesis of four and six-bar linkages, but a few vendors offer dynamic analysis of rigid bodies on PCs. Continuous simulation programs also are available for the PC, and expert systems to help engineers design mechanisms are being developed. Vendors of programs such as Adams (from MDI, Ann Arbor, MI) and Dads (Cadsi, Oakdale, IA) are improving reliability by paying attention to integration methods and quality control, and by adding features that make modeling electronic and hydraulic control systems within the software easier. In addition, vendors of continuous simulation software have added the ability to model systems in block diagram, which makes the software easier to use. The latest development in the dynamics programs includes control elements.