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Nelson Woo

A multibody-based dynamic simulation method for electrostatic actuators

A multibody-based dynamic simulation method for electrostatic actuators

Sangkyu Lee, Jinam Kim, Wonkyu Moon, Jinhwan Choi, Ilhan Park, Daesung Bae, Nonlinear Dynamics, October 2008, Volume 54, Issue 1, pp 53-68.

  • Abstract

    A numerical simulation method is developed to analyze the dynamic responses of electrostatic actuators, which are electromechanically-coupled systems. The developed method can be used to determine the dynamic responses of cantilever-type switches, which are an example of typical MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) devices driven by an electrostatic force. We propose the approach that adopts a point charge to deal with electric field effects between electrodes. This approach may be considered as a lumped parameter model for the electrostatic interactions. An advantage of this model may be the easy incorporation of the electrostatic effects between electrodes into a multibody dynamics analysis algorithm. The resulting equations contain the variables for position, velocity, and electric charge to describe the motion of the masses and the charges on the electrodes in a system. By solving these equations simultaneously, the dynamic response of an electrostatically-driven system can be correctly simulated. In order to realize this approach, we implement the procedures into RecurDyn, the multibody dynamics software developed by the authors. The developed numerical simulation tool was evaluated by applying it to cantilever-type electrostatic switches in many different driving conditions. The results suggest that the developed tool may be useful for predicting behaviors of electrostatic actuators in testing as well as in design.

    How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

    This paper proposes a method to simulate the dynamic behaviors of structures driven by electrostatic forces. This approach provides dynamic simulation results that describe the effects of large deformations of a structure and the electromechanical coupling inside a system. RecurDyn’s FFlex module allows finite element bodies to be analyzed during multibody dynamics simulations.

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March 24, 2008: Brant Ross to Co-Organize the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brant Ross to Co-Organize the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry

San Diego, August 30 – September 2

March 24, 2008 — YPSILANTI, Mich. – Brant Ross will be a co-organizer for the 2009 Symposium on Multibody System Software Development and Applications in Education and Industry, which will be held in conjunction with the International Conference on Multibody Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Control (MSNDC). This conference will be part of the ASME 2009 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC), to be held August 30 – September 2, 2009, at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.

MotionPort and FunctionBay both participate regularly in the conference, publishing 4 to 5 papers each time. Recent topics presented by MotionPort include: “History, Perspective and Outlook for Media Transport Simulation Using Multibody Dynamics”, and “Using Flexible Constraints to Reduce Noise in Multibody Systems with Intermittent Contact”. These are practical papers that focus on multibody dynamics applications.

A total of several hundred papers will be presented at the International Conference on Multibody Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Control (MSNDC). Papers submitted to this conference are also eligible for inclusion into the ASME Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics, as well as the Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control. For more information about ASME journals, please refer to: http://journaltool.asme.org/Content/index.cfm. For more information about the conference, please visit: www.rpi.edu/~anderk5/IDETC2009.

Note to Editors: RecurDyn is a trademark of Function Bay, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.

March 24, 2008: Brant Ross to Speak at the AIMCAL Applied Web Handling Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brant Ross to Speak at the AIMCAL Applied Web Handling Conference

Topic is “Initial Application of Multi- Flexible Body Dynamics Software to Web Handling Simulation”

March 24, 2008 — YPSILANTI, Mich. – Brant Ross will speak during session 3 of the 2008 AIMCAL Applied Web Handling Conference, on Wednesday, 5-7-08, at 11:00 am-11:30 am at the Radisson University Hotel, Minneapolis, MN.

The following is the abstract of Dr. Ross’s discussion:

“Physical simulation of a web is challenging because it requires the characterization of a flexible body going through geometrically-nonlinear deformation as well as making contact with rollers and guides. Nonlinear FEA software can be used to study the web but the run times for a web moving though a reasonable motion can be extremely long. The use of commercial off-the-shelf multi- flexible body dynamics software offers hope for detailed results with shorter run times. This presentation describes the use of the RecurDyn software to simulate web behavior, including the distribution of strains though the web. The response of the web to misalignments are described. The approachability of using off-the-shelf software is shown.”

Below are figures of some of the results that Dr. Ross will discuss:

The response of a web to the misalignment of the lower roller.

The conference is sponsored by AIMCAL, the Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators, and CEMA, the Converting Equipment Manufacturers Association. The conference covers applied web handling technologies within the Converting, Paper, and Plastics industries.

For more information, please visit: www.aimcal.org/association/AWEB08/intro.asp. The full conference agenda can be viewed at: www.aimcal.org/association/AWEB08/agenda.asp.

Note to Editors: RecurDyn is a trademark of Function Bay, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Reduction of PTO rattle noise of an agricultural tractor using an anti-backlash gear

Reduction of PTO rattle noise of an agricultural tractor using an anti-backlash gear

S.B. Shim, Y.J. Park, K.U. Kim, Biosystems Engineering, 2008, Volume 100, Issue 3, pp. 346-354.

  •  Abstract

    An anti-backlash gear was developed and tested as a PTO rattle noise reducer for a direct-engine PTO driveline of agricultural tractors. Models of the anti-backlash gear and its driving gear were developed and used to simulate the relative angular displacement between them when idling. Computer simulations were also conducted to determine the minimum initial load of the anti-backlash gear for zero relative angular displacement. Performance simulation of the anti-backlash gear with different spring stiffness and initial deflections indicated that the PTO rattle noise by the impact could be eliminated by zero relative angular displacement and that rattle noise could be further decreased by increasing spring stiffness. In experiments the anti-backlash gear reduced the rattle noise by 11.4–16.9 dBA depending on the spring stiffness with zero relative angular displacement. A relationship between the stiffness and initial deflection of the spring is proposed for zero relative angular displacement. It is concluded that anti-backlash gear can reduce effectively the PTO rattle noise of the direct-engine PTO driveline of agricultural tractors when idling.

    How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

    RecurDyn was used to evaluate the design of an anti-backlash gear to reduce noise in the PTO gearbox of a direct-engine PTO driveline for an agricultural tractor. The simulated results matched well with measured results. The design of the anti-backlash gear could be tested and refined in an efficient and cost-effective way using RecurDyn.

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3D Education System of DC Motor Drive using RecurDyn and CoLink

3D Education System of DC Motor Drive using RecurDyn and CoLink

H.S. Mok, lH. LEE, G.H. CHOE, S.H KIM, DJ. YUN, ICPE 2007 Proceedings, October 2007, pp.119-121.

A New Method for Simulation of Machining Performance by Integrating Finite Element and Multi-body Simulation for Machine Tools

A New Method for Simulation of Machining Performance by Integrating Finite Element and Multi-body Simulation for Machine Tools

M. Zaeh, D. Siedl, 2007, CIRP Annals – Manufacturing Technology, 2007, Volume 56, Issue 1, pp 383–386.

Abstract

Machine tools need to work accurately and highly dynamically to keep up with the requirements of modern machining processes. Besides the technical issues, time to market is too short to build a real prototype in future. This leads to the necessity for a method which enables the forecast of the future machine performance. To predict the machining results exactly, large movements on flexible structures have to be calculated. With the specific integration of FEA and MBS for the domain of machine tools it is possible to predict the dynamic machine behaviour. The simulation system is based on the relative nodal method for large deformation problems. A model of a machine tool with all relevant components was simulated and matched with experiments to demonstrate the approach.

How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used

This paper presents a method to predict machining performance. RecurDyn simulations can provide accurate results for flexible structures with large deformations. Implementing RecurDyn simulations into the design process can reduce time to market and reduce the money spent on physical prototypes.

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Integrated development platform for design of fuzzy inference system using RecurDyn and Simulink

Integrated development platform for design of fuzzy inference system using RecurDyn and Simulink

Chang-Woo Hong, Gyu-Jong Choi, Doo-Sung Ahn, SICE-ICASE International Joint Conference, Busan, October 2006, pp. 5643-5648.

Dynamic Operational Limits for a Stair-Climbing, Tracked, Urban Robot

Dynamic Operational Limits for a Stair-Climbing, Tracked, Urban Robot

Brant A. Ross, World Congress and Exposition Military Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Session, April 2006, 8 pages.

February 20, 2006: UGS and FunctionBay Announce Partnership

UGS and FunctionBay Announce Partnership to Extend Breadth of NX Digital Simulation Software Through Open Simulation Framework

Agreement enables advanced simulation capabilities in the areas of large-scale, multi-body motion analysis

DARATECH SUMMIT 2006, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced that UGS and FunctionBay, Inc. have entered into a technology partnership that enables UGS to leverage the RecurDyn™ multi-body dynamics solver in NX™ Digital Simulation software.

UGS made this announcement in conjunction with its Lifecycle Simulation announcements at today’s opening of the Daratech Summit 2006 event in Cambridge, Mass., where UGS Chairman, CEO and President Tony Affuso delivered a keynote address. (see separate release)

“The UGS PLM Open business model provides an enabling architecture that allows our partners to easily integrate their solutions with our products,” said Affuso. “The partnership with FunctionBay supports our Lifecycle Simulation strategy, featuring the world’s first end-to-end Digital Simulation solution UGS is keenly focused on elevating the role of CAE within the digital product development process. The goal is to provide our customers a comprehensive range of CAE applications – including UGS and partner solutions – to help them achieve product innovation.”


RecurDyn™/Professional is an advanced multi-body dynamics software that is founded on a recursive formulation for the equations of motion, relative coordinates, and advanced numerical integration techniques. The solution simulates simple through complex mechanical systems that are made up of rigid or flexible bodies.

“We are very pleased to partner with UGS to accelerate RecurDyn technology into the global digital simulation industry through NX Digital Simulation,” said Jin H. Choi, chairman, FunctionBay, Inc. “UGS’ open simulation framework has provided us an efficient integration process, and we look forward to working with UGS to further extend our offering within the NX environment.”

“UGS is excited to expand its simulation capabilities to include a new, multi-body dynamics solver,” said Jim Rusk, vice president, UGS Digital Simulation Solutions. “Partnering with FunctionBay provides our customers flexible options to select the motion simulation technology that best meets their specific application requirements. RecurDyn has demonstrated excellent performance and is well-known in the industry.”

How RecurDyn Works

RecurDyn uses a unique calculation method to solve for dynamic behavior and provides notable advantages for all engineers, but especially those who require tight design and analysis activity integration, motion simulation best practice templates and motion simulation data management.

Typical industrial applications include:

  1. High-Tech/Consumer electronics – copiers, printers, disk drives, home appliances, camera mechanisms, DVDs, etc.
  2. Automotive/Vehicle – engine assemblies/sub-systems, transmission/drivetrain assemblies and sub-systems, door mechanisms, wiper mechanisms, etc.
  3. Heavy Equipment – crawler tractors, tracked construction equipment, farm equipment, cranes, excavators, etc.
  4. Aerospace/Defense – aircraft landing gear systems, hydraulic actuation systems, guidance systems, satellite systems, land-based rovers, aircraft engines, etc.

The new RecurDyn capabilities will be available next quarter in the maintenance release of NX. Future releases of NX will incorporate additional advanced RecurDyn features.

For more information, visit http://www.ugs.com/products/nx.

About FunctionBay, Inc.

FunctionBay Inc. is an international company with innovative technologies for mechanical system simulation. It is headquartered in Korea and it has branches in Germany, United States, and Japan. Its core technology is the RecurDyn software, which focuses on Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD). The importance of mechanical system-level simulation is increasing and FunctionBay is positioned to meet the evolving needs of its customers. RecurDyn™ features interfaces to other CAE technologies such as FEA, control systems modeling and optimization. For more information on RecurDyn, customers in North America should call 734-572-9630 or visit www.motionport.com. Customers in other regions should visit www.functionbay.co.kr.

About UGS

UGS is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with nearly 4 million licensed seats and 46,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, UGS’ vision is to enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through global innovation networks to deliver world-class products and services while leveraging UGS’ open enterprise solutions, fulfilling the mission of enabling them to transform their process of innovation. For more information on UGS products and services, visit www.ugs.com.

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Note: UGS, NX, and Transforming the process of innovation are trademarks or registered trademarks of UGS Corp. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. Recurdyn is a trademark of FunctionBay, Inc. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

The statements in this news release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding expected benefits of the product, adoption by customers, continued innovation and other statements identified by forward looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate” or “project,” are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including, among others, risks relating to developments in the PLM industry, competition, failure to innovate and intellectual property. UGS has included a discussion of these and other pertinent risk factors in its registration statement on Form S-4 most recently filed with the SEC. UGS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS:

Dora Smith
314-264-8480
dora.smith@ugs.com

Brant Ross
734-572-9630
brant.ross@motionport.com