Could a simple Visual Basic program be written that would allow an inventor to calculate forces/velocities quickly? For example, if I need to know how fast a robot will travel, I only really need to know the input speed and the relationship between the input and output. Could each interface point, say a gear, pass the result to the next point to be calculated? Feed in motor rpm, gear1 diameter, gear2, gear3, ....to axle/wheel and give a final rpm? Or does someone know where I can obtain a program that could do this at a price I can afford?
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Dale,Have you looked into Simulation programs such as Simulic from Matlab, Visual Nastran 4D etc.Depending on the level of accuracy needed, a visual basic program can be written to solve the task. Biggest challenges will be taking into account friction, lubrication between surfaces and other energy loses.Let me know if you need more ideas.Sam Beyenesambeyene@att.net
seen Working Model 2D yet? http://www.krev.com/overview.html
Not sure if you can do this with a simple Visual Basic program. I worked in the CAD industry and what you are requeting is a lot of work. You might be able to find some small programs written by students at various labs such as Media Labs (MIT), Cadif (Cornell), etc. I do recall that Cornell had a bunch of programs that will do parts of the problem that you are trying to solve. This is back in 1990. My guess is that someone must have written routines for either Matlab or mathworks. Alternative source might be 3rd party solutions for various mechnical CAD programs by Autodesk, Dessault or PTC.
i thought 'mech desgin' stood for Mechanism Design - a branch of economic theory. you may want to change your title.
I agree. Having a graphical program which shows the common mechanical conversions would be nice so you could do what if scenarios and for a given set of operating conditions like force, torque, rotating inertia, induced vibration, type of gear pitch, rotational speed, types of materials, environmental conditions, ..., and see the resulting set of parameters given an intermediate change like a different lubricant, changing gear pitch, size, ... Maybe even have a database of common materials, gears and other mechanisms that can be ordered, to select from. See Gear Designer for one simplified application.
The fastest way I know is to figure it out by hand. Dig out the ole physics book and find what you need to make a rough approximation. Because even if you use a CAD program to make a prediction, it is still a guess. The way it is assembled, the grease used for lubrication, the environmental temperatures, ... all have an influence over the result. Then, based upon your experience after live testing, modify your calculations accordingly in the future. (develop your own thumbrules)