A Method to Dramatically Improve Modeling Time and Efficiency Through an Excel-Based Automation Tool
Seong Ho Yang, Jin Hwan Choi, Feng Wang, Graham G. Sanborn, ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Multibody Dynamics, Barcelona, June 2015.
Abstract
In CAE software, modeling time and efficiency has begun to become a significant focus because modeling takes significant time. Reducing modeling time and improving modeling efficiency can be achieved through various methods. The primary method is to customize the tool so that common tasks are automated. In the experience of the authors, automation can dramatically reduce the time and efficiency of modeling in CAE software. However, usually, creating such automation requires using the customization tools included in the CAE software. These tools are usually based on programming or scripting languages that have deep access to the capabilities of the CAE software. These tools can be extremely powerful, but they also require significant programming skills. Therefore, they do not get used as much as they could. Some programming tools for customization also allow the CAE software to access spreadsheets or other external applications or files. This capability also extends the potential power of the customization tools. But they require even more skill and more time to design the customizations.
How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used
RecurDyn/eTemplate is a tool that enables RecurDyn model data to be stored in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. RecurDyn/eTemplate can read the data in a spreadsheet and create a model in RecurDyn from the data. This tool can make managing model data much more efficient.
