MapleSim, the next generation tool for modelling and simulation

“In MapleSim, the world’s most advanced symbolic computing engine, Maple™ comes together with traditional numeric solvers to supercharge the simulation and modelling process,” said Jim Cooper, CEO of Maplesoft. “With traditional techniques modelling even simple systems is arduous and time consuming; with MapleSim users can simply recreate a system diagram on a screen and the equations of the model are automatically generated. With savings of anywhere from weeks to months MapleSim marks the beginning of a new era.”

MapleSim offers numerous advantages over traditional tools. Specifically:

• MapleSim allows users to mix physical components with traditional signal-flow blocks;
• The model diagram looks like the real system being modelled;
• Multi-domain models are easily assembled from pre-built components;
• Units management removes potential conversion and consistency errors;
• Live design documentation captures the analysis behind the model;
• Systems of equations representing the model are automatically generated;
• Complex models are automatically simplified using sophisticated symbolic techniques.

Physical modelling, or physics-based modelling, is the process of modelling the dynamic behaviour of a system mathematically. Traditionally, this task required significant manual effort to derive equations and manipulate them into a form that could be used by signal-flow simulation tools that employ a block-diagram paradigm. The block diagrams are more complex, harder to produce and do not resemble the original system representation.

With the cutting-edge physical modelling techniques in MapleSim users can recreate a system diagram on a screen using compact and intuitive components that represent a physical model, making it easier to build and understand. MapleSim has more than 500 components from over 10 domains such as electrical, mechanical, control design and thermal, organised into easy-to-navigate palettes.

With MapleSim mathematical equations that represent a model are automatically generated, saving weeks, sometimes even months, on complex applications. The equations are also simplified automatically yielding concise models and high-speed simulations of sophisticated systems.

Maple’s symbolic computation technology is at the core of MapleSim. Unlike purely numeric computation symbolic technology can convert a physical system representation directly into mathematical equations. Models created in this way are very concise and do not rely on iterative numeric routines to solve. This provides the best simulation performance without generating errors typical of manual derivations.

MapleSim is now available in its pilot version. Pilot users test and provide feedback on product features. Users are encouraged to sign up for the pilot program at www.maplesoft.com/products/maplesim. This will be a great opportunity to access MapleSim at an early stage and interact with the Maplesoft product development team to influence the next generation of modelling and simulation tools.