Why Adams for MBD

Most widely used mechanical system simulation software

Adams stands for Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems.
It is a Multibody dynamics software that is used to study the dynamics
of moving parts, and to determine how loads and forces are distributed
throughout mechanical systems.
With three decades of innovation and industry leadership, companies
across industries choose Adams as their system dynamics solution.

Accurately predict loads for FEA

Dynamic loads are far more difficult to predict and understand compared to static loads, and this is especially true
in systems with multiple moving parts, complex interactions and dynamic phenomena.
Using Adams, engineers can calculate accurate dynamic loads applied through the system to any key component within it.
Then, those loads can be used as inputs to component FEA models to get reliable results for stress analysis or fatigue analysis.

Represent flexibility efficiently in your system conveniently

Adams allows you to create flexible parts conveniently even in large motion systems that include complex interactions with other
modeling elements. Engineers can either create a flexible components by importing MNF files from FEA software or generate flexible
parts within the Adams environment using the Adams ViewFlex capability.

Design confidently with accurate mechanical model for controls system modeling
Nearly every mechanical system includes one or more control systems. By using Adams Controls, you can take your geometrically
defined Adams models and easily incorporate them within block diagrams you have created with your preferred control system
design software, such as EASY5, MATLAB Simulink or FMI supported tools.

Accelerate innovation by exploring multiple design concepts

Optimization analysis is important in every design process.
Using Adams and Adams Insight, your design team can quickly understand the simulation that was run, investigate which factors
have the greatest effect on each response, and easily make design changes and immediately understand how these changes will
affect the overall performance of your design.

Real dynamics for vehicle design and testing

With the Adams Car products, engineering teams can quickly build and test functional
virtual prototypes of complete vehicles and vehicle subsystems. Working in this
environment, automotive engineering teams can exercise their vehicle designs under
various road and test rig conditions, performing the same tests they normally run
in a test lab or on a test track, but in a fraction of time.

Powerful customization functionality

Another advantage of Adams is its openness of architecture, which provides the ability
to customize. This is heavily used by many companies to extend the capabilities of
Adams and to integrate it into their process workflows.

2 | MSC Software
Easy to Use, Integrated
Adams View User Interface
Tightly integrated user interface to help you build, analyze
and post-process functional virtual prototype models with
ease. Designed with a focus on system level analysis,
Adams View lets you build models of mechanical systems
and simulate the full-motion behavior.

Building Models Adams PostProcessor

• Import CAD neutral geometry formats • View results in tabular and plotted
The Adams model including STEP, IGES, DXF, DWG or formats
has subsequently been Parasolid
• Import physical test data for comparison
• Import native CAD geometry formats with analysis results to correlate your
used to perform an including CatiaV4, CatiaV5, Inventor, models
extensive parameter STEP, IGES, Acis, ProE, Creo,
• Compare plots and animations from
SolidWorks, Unigraphics, VDA
study to find the root • Create rigid and flexible bodies
multiple simulations
• Perform collision and clearance studies
cause and solutions representing the system’s moving parts
• Use broad animation controls to enhance
to the observed gear • Apply constraints to define how bodies
the quality and realism of your animations
are attached and move relative
resonance. to each other
• Apply motions to specifically prescribe Optimizing Models
Christina Exner, Achates Power the movement of bodies within the model with Adams Insight
• Apply forces to define loads and contacts • Access advanced DOE capability to
between bodies, and compliance and improve product design by understanding
friction within connections interaction of key parameters and
performance goals

Testing Models • Take advantage of popular statistical

methods to define the model set
• Run a simulation to test the model’s
performance characteristics and • Assessments of response surface quality
response to a set of operating conditions and objective sensitivity to factors guide
refinement of the simulation set
• Use solver parameters to refine
simulation performance and accuracy • Publish interactive web pages which
enable viewers to easily interrogate the
• Create measures to chart key model’s response to varied factors
characteristics of your model during or
after a simulation
• Instrument your model with detailed
output requests to investigate nearly any
aspect of the simulated model

Adams Product Brochure | 3

 Adams Multidiscipline Solutions
Adams enables engineers to evaluate and manage the
complex interactions between disciplines including motion,
structures, vibrations, and controls to better optimize
product designs for performance, safety, and comfort.

Adams Controls Adams Durability

• Connect your Adams model to block • Perform modal stress recovery of flexible
Adams simulations diagram models you’ve developed with bodies within Adams
permitted us to get control applications such as Easy5® or
MATLAB®
• Export loads to popular FEA software
including MSC Nastran for detailed
different loading • Run co-simulation between Adams and stress analysis
conditions to be studied other software that supports the FMI
• Integrate with MSC Fatigue to do
standard
through an FE analysis, component life prediction

putting to evidence the Adams Mechatronics Adams Vibration

most critical loading • Access advanced pre-processing for
• Analyze the forced response of a model
Adams Controls
combinations” in the frequency domain over different
• Setup and couple a control system operating points
to a mechanical system
Dr. Peter Tutzer, Bugatti • Transfer your linearized model from
• Ideal for complex integrations Adams products to Adams Vibration
completely and quickly

Adams Flex • Create input and output channels for

vibration analyses
• Integrate FEA-based flexible bodies into
your model • Specify frequency domain input
functions, such as swept sine amplitude/
• Better represent structural compliance frequency, power spectral density (PSD),
• Predict loads and displacements with and rotational imbalance
greater accuracy
• Examine the linear system modes of a
flexible model
• Broad and convenient control over
modal participation and damping

Adams ViewFlex
• Create flexible bodies entirely within
Adams View or Adams Car
• Reduce reliance on 3rd party FEA
software using built in MSC Nastran
technology

4 | MSC Software
 Adams Vehicle Vertical Solutions
With Adams Car vertical products, engineering teams can quickly
Adams Car was
build and test functional virtual prototypes of complete vehicles instrumental to tune
and vehicle subsystems. all subsystems at
their best before any
Adams Car Adams Driveline real prototype was
• Analyze design changes much faster • Model and simulate driveline components available… Testing
and at a lower cost than physical
prototype testing would require
and study the dynamic behavior of the
entire driveline during different operating
several configurations
• Work in a more secure environment
conditions on the virtual
without the fear of losing data from • Explore the interaction between driveline prototype required a
instrument failure or losing testing time and chassis components, such as
because of poor weather conditions suspensions, steering system, brakes, matter of hours; doing
and the vehicle body
• Run analyses and what-if scenarios the same on the real
without the dangers associated with • Apply a specific torque to your
physical testing driveline model prototype would have
• Perform a repeatable set of tests on a • Alter the driveline geometry and analyze been impossible”
global basis, ensuring that you work the driveline again to evaluate the effects
with common data, tests, and, most of the alterations Dr. Peter Tutzer, Bugatti
important, results

Efficient Solvers with High

Capabilities for Higher Productivity
As a powerful numerical analysis application, Adams Solver
automatically solves the equations of motion for kinematic, static,
quasi-static, and dynamic simulations. It is designed to build, test,
and refine mechanical system models.

High Performance Computation Unique Capabilities

• Enable parallel evaluation of Jacobian • Use state of the art Linear analysis
matrix capabilities
• E
nable parallel thread for results • Use high fidelity Adams-to-Nastran
computation translation utilities to replace manual
translation
• E
nable parallel execution of LU
factorizations • Use HHT integrators for a faster
numerical integration of the equations
of motion for a dynamic analysis

Adams Product Brochure | 5

Adams TM

Multibody Dynamics Simulation

MSC Software is one of the ten original software companies and the worldwide leader
in multidiscipline simulation. As a trusted partner, MSC Software helps companies improve
quality, save time and reduce costs associated with design and test of manufactured
products. Academic institutions, researchers, and students employ MSC technology
to expand individual knowledge as well as expand the horizon of simulation.
MSC Software employs professionals in 20 countries.

For additional information about MSC Software’s products and services,

please visit: www.mscsoftware.com.

Corporate Europe, Middle East, Japan Asia-Pacific

MSC Software Corporation Africa MSC Software LTD. MSC Software (S) Pte. Ltd.
4675 MacArthur Court MSC Software GmbH Shinjuku First West 8F 100 Beach Road The MSC Software corporate logo, MSC, and the names of the
Suite 900 Am Moosfeld 13 23-7 Nishi Shinjuku #16-05 Shaw Towers MSC Software products and services referenced herein are trademarks
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