Introduction to Computer-Aided Analysis of Machine Dynamics

Catalog description

Techniques and formulations for computer based kinematic and dynamic analyses of machines. M E 481 Introduction to Computer-Aided Analysis of Machine Dynamics (3) This course addresses computer methods for kinematic and dynamic analyses of two-dimensional (2D) multi-body machines at the advanced undergraduate and introductory graduate level. The course introduces the formalism of kinematic mobility and topology to help students recognize constrained kinematic chains embedded in larger engineering systems. Classic kinematic and Newtonian dynamic methods are reformulated using modern matrix methods. The latter half of the course focuses on underlying algorithms and theory behind commercially available mechanism analysis software packages that employ differential-algebraic equation (DAE) solvers. Students program their own numerical integration methods for time domain simulation of forward dynamics of a simple system to reinforce the theory. The overall goals are for students to be able to identify forward versus inverse dynamic problems; and to be able to plan, implement and debug an appropriate computer-based design tool to analyze kinematics and dynamics of 2D constrained mechanisms.