Virtual Mechanical Models

In Robotics and Control Systems courses, students create mathematical models of systems, then design controllers to make them perform tasks. This is done using Matlab/Simulink which is a mathematical tool that displays results using x-y plots.

Matlab has a number of shortcomings.
X-y plots are often not very meaningful to novice engineers.
Friction, gravity and other effects which are present in real mechanisms are difficult to model, and beyond the scope of Electrical Engineering courses.

In this project, SimulationX is used to develop virtual mechanisms.
Complex effects like friction and gravity are accurately computed with little mechanical expertise. Results are displayed using 3D animations.
The advanced computational features of Matlab/Simulink are retained through co-simulation.

A SimulationX model gives the impression that students are controlling an actual robot with realistic mechanical dynamics and results that are displayed in 3D animations.

Leo Stocco, Associate Professor of Teaching, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science
Septimiu E. Salcudean, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science