Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: Mechanical Simulation Softwae
Message-ID: <nagleD88C9r.DJB@netcom.com>
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Date: Sun, 7 May 1995 22:39:26 GMT
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javilk@netcom.com (Javilk) writes:
>  Does anyone have, or know where I can get, software that would enable 
>me to do a mechanical simulation of a robot? I need design and try out 
>various hardware configurations for arms, legs, etc. to find the optimal 
>pivot locations, pulley locations, sway, etc.
>  As a professional programmer, I can write some of this myself if 
>necessary, but I don't know a lot about the physics involved...  which, I 
>have been given to understand, can get rather involved!

>   Anyone have any good software available, or know of anything that I 
>can buy on the market that would do this?  I'd rather make my mistakes on 
>the computer, than in the real world.

     Working Model, from Knowledge Revolution, is a good 2D simulator
for mechanical systems.  Windows and Mac versions are available.
There's a student version of Working Model, called Interactive Physics,
available for around $100, and I'd try that out to see if it's useful to
you.

     True 3D dynamic simulation is available, but it costs.  Mechanica,
from Rasna, is a system that can do it.  There's a Windows version.
Price is in low 5 figures, but there's a good educational discount site
licence deal.

					John Nagle
