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Maplesoft Delivers DynaFlexPro; Maple-Based Design Tool for Modeling and Simulating the Dynamics of Mechanical Multibody Systems

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 09:00 CDT

Maplesoft(TM), the leading provider of high-performance software tools for engineering, science and mathematics, announced today the availability of DynaFlexPro(TM), a Maple(TM)-based design tool that uses revolutionary symbolic computation methods to rapidly derive the system equations of complex mechanical multibody systems. Unlike other multibody design tools that use purely numeric solvers, DynaFlexPro generates solutions that are exact, compact and efficient for real-time implementation, at a fraction of the cost.

Designed by MotionPro Inc., and launched under the MapleConnect(TM) Premier program, DynaFlexPro is the result of many years of research and development, with applications in complex mechanisms, vehicle suspensions, stability control, trains, articulated vehicles, vibration analysis, robotics, biomedical prosthesis design and piano mechanisms. DynaFlexPro overcomes the shortcomings of existing mechanical analysis tools, which use inefficient numerical algorithms to evaluate rotations, displacements, forces and torques in a mechanism. Other tools introduce errors in analysis and the analysis is very slow--too slow for implementation in a real-time simulator, for example. In addition, models are difficult to parameterize, which means, if, for example, a link length is changed, the whole model must be recomputed for the new value.

DynaFlexPro solves these problems by using Maple--the most powerful and intuitive tool for solving complex mathematical problems and creating rich, executable technical applications--to symbolically generate the equations of motion for the mechanism. This results in an exact-form representation of the mechanical system that is completely parameterized, error-free and very quick to evaluate when numeric data is introduced making the model ideal for real-time use. Furthermore, the Maple code generation capability can be used to export the model to other tools such as MATLAB(R)/Simulink(R), MATRIXx(TM)/SystemBuild(TM) and LabVIEW(TM).

A graphical user interface, DynaFlexPro ModelBuilder(TM), facilitates the rapid creation of system models using block diagrams and drop-down menus. DynaFlexPro combines graph theory with engineering mechanics in algorithms that automatically generate the system equations from the system model. Powerful Maple computer algebra technologies are used to create small and efficient sets of system equations in symbolic form, which allows for viewing, physical insight and sharing. This symbolic approach facilitates the design, optimization, simulation and control of complex engineering systems, and is well suited for teaching mechanical system design.

"The design optimization of mechanical, biomechanical and mechatronic multibody systems reduces development and testing costs and time-to-market for developers," said Dr. John McPhee, Chief Scientist at MotionPro Inc., "but the available tools are cumbersome, slow and susceptible to floating-point errors. We designed DynaFlexPro to overcome these issues so that engineering product developers can optimize, simulate and control their designs to reduce prototyping time and bring their products to market faster than ever before."

Paul Goossens, Director of Commercial Market Development at Maplesoft, says, "DynaFlexPro is a classic example of how symbolic solvers can completely change the way engineering design is carried out. Anyone who has first-hand experience of the limitations of currently-available multibody software packages that employ purely numerical approaches will find this tool to be invaluable. Now, engineers with a dynamic mechanical system to design or analyze are able to use DynaFlexPro to rapidly derive high-fidelity system models for many time-critical applications, including real-time engineering simulators for hardware-in-the-loop testing."

Pricing

Maple 10 is required to use DynaFlexPro. Maple 10 and DynaFlexPro can be purchased together for $3990 US (single-user). DynaFlexPro is also available for current Maple 10 users at $1995 US. Volume, academic and government pricing is available on request. For more information, visit http://www.maplesoft.com/products/thirdparty/dynaflexpro.

About Maplesoft

Maplesoft is a world leader in mathematical and analytical software. Its suite of products includes Maple, the standard among interactive mathematical software; MapleNet, a comprehensive mathematical infrastructure for the Web; and Maple T.A., a system for automated grading of mathematics tests. Maplesoft products embody the most advanced and integrated technology for both numeric and symbolic solution of complex problems. Its standards-compliant algorithms are renowned for their speed, accuracy and reliability. In addition, Maplesoft leads the market with innovations that make the management of technical knowledge - whether in industry or in a classroom - more effective and efficient. Over two million users at thousands of organizations benefit from advanced Maple technology. Maplesoft's commercial customer base includes Boeing, Bosch, Canon and NASA. Additionally, virtually every major university and research institute in the world, including MIT, Stanford, Oxford and Waterloo, has adopted Maplesoft products to enhance its education and research activities. For more information, visit www.maplesoft.com.

About MotionPro Inc.

MotionPro Inc. was co-founded by Dr. John McPhee P.Eng., and Patricia Shaw P.Eng. MotionPro develops and markets the DynaFlexPro software for analyzing the motion of complex mechanical systems. MotionPro also helps their customers to develop customized models, including real-time dynamic analysis and optimized designs of their engineering systems. For further information about MotionPro and its products, please contact sales@motionpro.ca.

Source: Business Wire

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