SimMechanics

Exporting CAD Assemblies from a CAD System into SimMechanics

Using SimMechanics Link, you can automatically create a SimMechanics model from a CAD assembly. SimMechanics Link exports critical data and mate information to a file that can be imported by SimMechanics. The mass and inertia of each part in the assembly are converted to rigid bodies in SimMechanics. Geometry from the CAD assembly is automatically converted into geometry files and associated with the proper body in SimMechanics. The mate definitions in the CAD assembly are converted into the appropriate joints in the SimMechanics model.

Importing and Merging CAD Models into SimMechanics 7:14
Import models from CAD systems to SimMechanics using SimMechanics Link. Separate changes made in the CAD system and SimMechanics are automatically merged in the final model.

For SolidWorks, ProEngineer, and Inventor models, you can install a plug-in to save the CAD assembly as an XML file that can be imported into SimMechanics. For other CAD systems, SimMechanics Link provides an API that you can connect to the API of your CAD system. Download SimMechanics Link.

Piston model imported from CAD into SimMechanics. The CAD model of the piston (top) is saved as an XML file, and imported into SimMechanics. The visualization is generated from the STL files automatically exported from the CAD system (bottom).