Multibody Dynamics
Multibody Dynamics

A multibody dynamic (MBD) system is one that consists of solid bodies, or links, that are connected to each other by joints that restrict their relative motion. The study of MBD is the analysis of how mechanism systems move under the influence of forces, also known as forward dynamics. A study of the inverse problem, i.e. what forces are necessary to make the mechanical system move in a specific manner is known as inverse dynamics.
Motion analysis is important because product design frequently requires an understanding of how multiple moving parts interact with each other and their environment. From automobiles and aircraft to washing machines and assembly lines - moving parts generate loads that are often difficult to predict. Complex mechanical assemblies present design challenges that require a dynamic system-level analysis to be met.
Accurate modeling can require representations of various types of components, like electronic controls systems and compliant parts and connections, as well as complicated physical phenomena like vibration, friction and noise. Motion analysis enables one to meet these challenges by quickly evaluating and improving designs for important characteristics like performance, safety and comfort. MSC solutions for motion analysis cover a broad range of multibody dynamics simulation functionality provided through rich, easy-to-use pre and post-processing interfaces and industry leading solvers.
MSC Software is used for many types of motion analysis:
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Industry Uses:
- Aerospace & Defense: Aircraft engines, space vehicles, landing gears, helicopter fuselage, weapon systems, armaments, aircraft control mechanisms, ejection seats, flight simulators, battlefield vehicles, mission-critical spacecraft mechanisms.
- Automotive: Suspension systems, Drivetrains, brake systems, steering systems, engines, control systems, transmissions, boot joints, bearings, clutches, chassis structure.
- Manufacturing: robotic manipulators, conveyor belts, pumps, machine tools, packaging equipment, gears, stepper and server motors.
- Heavy Equipment: excavators, agricultural equipment, hydraulic control systems, tracked vehicles, fork lifts, amusement park rides.
- Medical: Orthopaedics, human locomotion, biodynamics, dynamometry, ergonomic analyses, robotic limbs.
- Consumer Products: Sporting goods, bicycles, tools, printers.
- Energy: Wind turbines, solar panels, offshore structures, drilling rigs, centralizer mechanisms.
![]() Mode shape visualization of business jet flexible inner flap![]() Modal stress recovery on an automatic weapon flexible casing ejection |
Adams provides technology to correctly include a component’s flexibility even in presence of large overall motion and complex interaction with other modeling elements. Systems typically contain one or more structural components where deformation effects are paramount for design analyses and the rigid body assumption is no longer valid. Adams/Flex allows importing finite element models from most major FEA software packages and is fully integrated with Adams package providing access to convenient modeling and powerful post-processing capabilities. The ViewFlex module in Adams/View enables users to transform a rigid part to an MNF-based flexible body using embedded finite element analysis where a meshing step and linear modes analysis will be performed. It is our new product module powered by MSC Nastran, allowing one to create flexible bodies without leaving Adams/View and without reliance on 3rd party Finite Element Analysis software. Also, it’s a streamlined process with much higher efficiency than the way users have traditionally generated flexible bodies for Adams in the past. |
![]() ViewFlex model in Adams/View. |
With functionalities like Adams2Nastran export and ViewFlex, Adams introduces bi-directional integration with MSC Nastran that allows re-use of validated Adams models to perform modal and frequency response analysis. Adams/Mechatronics easily incorporates control systems into mechanical models by dynamically linking an external system library from a controls application, such as Easy 5 and MATLAB. Control system parameters can be quickly adjusted for evaluation and included in a design study for simultaneous optimization of both control system and mechanical system |