Simulation and modeling software

MSC Software’s Adams and Easy5 Simulation software models and simulates motion control systems to improve machine performance.

By Chris Baker April 11, 2013

MSC Software’s Adams multibody dynamics software and Easy5 multi-domain modeling and simulation software has been used by Gildas Hubert, project manager for Armor, a manufacturer of inked ribbon used in thermal transfer printing, to simulate many coating machines and control systems. (See linked application story.)

In the past, Armor found it difficult to model the complicated mechanisms and motion control systems involved in roll coating. This challenge was overcome with the use of Adams and Easy5, which enable control systems to be integrated into mechanical system simulations to optimize system performance. Adams, the world’s most widely used multibody dynamics simulation software, automatically formulates and solves the equations of motion for kinematic, static, quasi-static, and dynamic simulations. Easy5 is a graphics-based software tool used to model multi-domain dynamics systems characterized by differential, difference, and algebraic equations such as digital and analog control systems. Integration is accomplished with the Adams interface block in an Easy5 model that provides inputs from Easy5 into Adams and vice versa.

An Adams model of a machine defined the rolls as cylinders and added connections between them to represent the gearing in the machine. It included material properties of the PET web and friction between the web and the rolls based on physical measurements. Easy5 simulated the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) closed-loop motion controller.

“I found it very easy to define both the physical and control model with Adams and Easy5,” Hubert said. Hubert began his simulation efforts on a machine whose performance he felt left considerable room for improvement. Running virtual experiments with Adams and Easy5 also eliminated the cost of downtime on production machines.

Hubert said, “Coupling Adams, MSC’s multibody simulation solution, with Easy5 turned out to be the ideal way to model our roll machines and control systems.”

– Chris Baker is the product manager for Adams and Easy5 at MSC Software Corp. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

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Also see related article with more application information and photos below: Simulation software boosts machine productivity