Working Model 2004

Significant new features have extended the popular Flexbeam script:

• Create flexible beams in bending mode, extension mode, or both
• Create flexible beams from rectangles and four-sided polygons (tapered beams) in any orientation
• Automatically heal polygons before creating flexible beams
• Re-attach constraints and points attached to the original body
• Create sliders for bending and/or extension stiffness and damping
• Significantly increase the maximum number of flexible beam elements
• Improve error checking

Flexbeam input dialog box

Sample Flexbeam output

The flexibility of FlexLM licensing, e.g., network licensing across subnets, is added to Working Model 2004. New WM2004 license options include:

• Counted node-locked single-user license
• Multi-user license through a network server

Working Model 2004 also supports existing hardware dongle license options without additional charge. New or replacement hardware dongle license are available with additional charge. WM2004 also supports educational licensing with proof of full-time academic affiliation and use.

Licensing menu

Licensing dialog box

Model DC motors and DC actuators with the following input parameters: Motor Resistance (R) Motor Inductance (L) Motor Back-EMF Speed Constant (Kv) Motor Force/Torque Constant (Km) Motor Input Voltage (Vi)

The value of these parameters can be set with a number, slider, or any Interactive Physics formula.

DC motor properties

DC actuator properties

• The Generic Coord-to-Coord Pin Constraint is a powerful tool for advanced users and is useful for combining properties and measurements of various torque-producing devices, including torsional springs, torsional dampers, torque motors, rotational friction, and torques.
  
  Generic Coord-to-Coord Properties - Pin

• The Generic Coord-to-Coord Slot Constraint is a powerful tool for advanced users and is useful for combining properties and measurements of forces along slots, including dampers, actuators, friction, and forces.

Generic Coord-to-Coord Properties - Slot

• The Generic Point-to-Point Constraint is a powerful tool for advanced users and is useful for combining properties and measurements of rods, ropes, separators, springs, dampers, actuators, and forces.

Generic Point-to-Point Properties

Updated CAD DXF import now supports DXF versions 12, 13, 14, and 2000. In addition, DXF import automates certain conversions from arcs and line segments to polygons.

DXF Import

Sample DXF import

The PDF version of the tutorial guide is now included on the Working Model CD. With nine comprehensive exercises that emphasize the fundamental tools of motion simulation technology, this tutorial guide takes the user from beginning concepts to building a functional working model. Topics include:

• Introductory Demonstration
• Double-slotted rod
• Piston Engine
• Cruise Control with MATLAB
• Belt-Driven Camshaft
• Scripting
• Making Visually Appealing Models
• Earthquake Simulation
• Advanced Scripting

1. New default colors for bodies
2. New graphs and graphing options
3. Vector values can be displayed with vectors
4. New meter for feeling motion and/or collision (requires a force-feedback mouse or joystick)
5. New colors in the Run toolbar
6. New DC motor and DC actuator
7. New generic joints

New graphing capabilities allow you to control:

• Thickness of curves and lines
• Plot background and frame colors
• Scaling of curves and lines
• Display of X and/or Y axes, grid lines, or grid labels
• Grid line colors

New: Appearance dialog box for graphs

Showing a body's motion in an improved graph

The value of various vectors and their components can be displayed on screen. The vector values change dynamically as the simulation runs and provides excellent visual feedback on the magnitude/direction characteristics of vectors.

Updated Vector Display dialog box

Instantaneous values shown with the vectors

Note: Vector values change as the simulation runs

Color of bodies can be controlled with the extensive Interactive Physics formula anguage. Enter constants, equations, conditions, etc., in the RGB components of the body color.

Appearance dialog box for bodies

Body color at frame 0 (t = 0s)

Body color at frame 40 (t = 2s)

Feel the motion and/or collision of bodies through a force-feedback mouse or joystick. Choose the default effect or an effect from the Immersion Studio library of mouse and sound effects.

Select Feel the Motion or Feel the collision

Choose haptics effects, volume, and response