What's Driving Designers to Digital Simulation?

The use of virtual design tools - motion-design software and related products - by mechanical, electrical, and control engineers receives the spotlight in this enlightening Control Engineering article. Using simulation software (or mechatronic design programs) is gaining favor, we learn, as a means to virtually prototype motion-control systems, and then "right-size" them. Case studies are offered up to illustrate the cost benefits. For example, an engineer at a garage-door manufacturer performed motion-application simulation to right-size the motor and drive. Compared to his initial system design, the engineer avoided use of an oversized gearbox and other unnecessary components, and therefore cut energy use in half.