The collision-detection feature in CosmosMotion allows validation of motion-profile designs using the actual 3D CAD model. Designers can now evaluate the need for interlock logic to prevent collisions, optimize motion profiles to minimize dead time, evaluate what-if scenarios, and test control-system logic without risking damage to a physical machine. After the machine has been deployed to the field, collision detection can also be used to validate new motion profiles, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime from programming mistakes.

All in all, a simulation that includes the actual motion-profile constraints and the mechanical dynamics helps in the accurate estimate of cycle time and machine throughput. LabView indicates the duration in seconds for the motion profile at the end of each simulation.

MOTOR AND DRIVE SIZING

Motor torque and velocity needs of a system depend on the acceleration qualities of the motion profile, the mechanicaltransmission components, and the payload. To view the torque and velocity profile charts for motion profiles, one need only right-click on the constrained joint in CosmosMotion after the simulation run is complete.

CosmosMotion models can include couplers that translate rotary motion into linear motion to simulate transmissions such as ball screws. Mechanical simulations can also account for mechanical dynamic effects such as payload mass, friction, and gravity. These simulations can help determine whether velocity and acceleration constraints are, in fact, feasible and confirm that trade-offs made during design are the right ones.

CosmosMotion uses the material properties in SolidWorks models to automatically calculate the mass of solid bodies and to help calculate the friction between materials such as acrylic and steel. Overall, the information about motion profile kinematics and mechanical dynamics that the toolkit provides helps more accurately select appropriate motors, drives and transmission components.

MAKE CONTACT
Design & Assembly Concepts Inc., design2assembly.com/
National Instruments Corp., ni.com/mechatronics
SolidWorks, solidworks.com

Virtual-machine prototyping demo showing a sequential 2D straight line and arc move trajectory designed in LabView and then sent to SolidWorks for dynamic simulationand visualization. Note that the "Axis 1" and "Axis 2" motion axes in LabView match the constrained joint names in CosmosMotion.

Virtual-machine prototyping demo showing a sequential 2D straight line and arc move trajectory designed in LabView and then sent to SolidWorks for dynamic simulationand visualization. Note that the "Axis 1" and "Axis 2" motion axes in LabView match the constrained joint names in CosmosMotion.

Design & Assembly Concepts Inc. in Leander, Tex., recently used the mechatronics tools for motion optimization and collision detection on a solder tin-dip machine used in electronics assembly. "Virtual-machine prototyping is a tool that lets us significantly reduce the risk of our first build. As a custom design house, it's got to be right the first time," reports Mark Ganninger, president of Design & Assembly Concepts Inc.