Maplesoft Case Studies

Game-Changing Hockey Sticks with Help from MapleSim

Maplesoft — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 Z

The frequent breakage of composite ice hockey sticks is common. Not only does it drastically change the game at the professional level, but also leads to exorbitant costs. Hockey Robotics is a company that has pioneered the concept of robotic testing for the hockey industry. The team manufactured the SlapShot XT, a dynamic hockey stick robot. It's integrated advanced electronics and software allows the gathering of data never seen before, enabling detailed analysis to support refinements in hockey stick design. MapleSim played a critical role in the design and development of the SlapShot XT.

Multi-Domain Modeling Critical to Unmanned Vehicle Designs

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 Z

With products ranging from a portable and cost effective system for automating the collection of environmental water data (Kingfisher) to a rugged and easy-to-use unmanned ground vehicle for rapid prototyping (Husky), Clearpath Robotics is making a mark in the complex and growing field of robotics. One significant challenge they face, given the multifaceted nature of their products, is in the design and modeling of the systems. MapleSim's exceptional 3-D multibody dynamics and multi-domain modeling capabilities are helping them significantly improve the way the robots are designed.

Maplesoft Software Used in Advanced Engineering Research

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 Z

In engineering research, detail is vital. Researchers must not only develop models quickly, but they also require in-depth analytical tools to help them understand on a fundamental level the intricacies of their models. Fortunately, tools like MapleSim and Maple, from Maplesoft, are available to researchers to aid in their model development and analysis. With MapleSim, researchers can quickly develop their models and can gain insight into their systems’ behaviours. Researchers at many academic institutions have adopted MapleSim, advanced physical modeling software from Maplesoft, as a key tool in their engineering research activities. Dr. Khajepour, Dr. Venkat Krovi, and Dr. John McPhee, are making significant strides in their engineering research with the help of Maplesoft technology.

MapleSim Revitalizes the Freshman Engineering Design Course at McMaster University

Maplesoft — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 Z

The freshman design engineering course, or "cornerstone" course, is a critical component of the curriculum at most institutions. It introduces students to the fundamental techniques of design and the various tools of engineering. The modern incarnation of this course integrates general design and analysis concepts and the application of computing tools such as CAD. In a general sense, it is intended to answer the question "What do engineers actually do?" for a young student.

Smart teaching at Forest Hill gets more from students

Maplesoft — Sun, 15 May 2011 04:00:00 Z

The use of Maple T.A., the assessment and grading software from Maplesoft, by a comprehensive school in the UK has brought a host of benefits to students,teachers and the school. Maple T.A. is an easy-to-use web-based system for creating tests and assignments.

University of Waterloo Improves Learning while Saving Money with Maple T.A.

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:00:00 Z

The University of Waterloo faced an all-too-familiar problem: increasing enrollment and decreasing budgets. The University of Waterloo chose Maple T.A . to automate the assessment tasks for many of their mathematics-based courses. Today, Maple T.A. is used to deliver tests and assignments to approximately 9000 students/year, spread over more than 40 courses. Students in the mathematics, engineering, and science faculties use Maple T.A. every day.“Maple T.A. has made a huge difference to us, on many levels,” says Carrie Howells, Instructional Support Coordinator for the Mathematics Faculty Computing Facility. "After moving to Maple T.A., we've found that we can save approximately $100,000 per year on our grading budget, which we can use to support activities and programs we couldn't otherwise offer."

Learning to walk faster with high performance modelling

Maplesoft — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:00:00 Z

The ability for robots to mimic humans is one of science's most talked about issues. The rewards for reproducing human movement and actions go far beyond engineering, having applications and ramifications for medical treatment, computer technology, defence, exploration and much more. A project using MapleSim physical modelling software at the University of Manchester, is helping to perfect the process of humanoid walking in robots.

MapleSim and Maple Used in Advanced Research Projects at the Automation, Robotics, and Mechatronics Lab at SUNY Buffalo

Maplesoft — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:00:00 Z

The Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics (ARM) Lab is a research laboratory in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences in The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. The lab combines an in-depth understanding of mathematical theory with experimental validation to develop a new generation of smart mechanical and mechatronic systems. Their work includes projects in haptic devices for surgical simulations, musculoskeletal simulation to refine human-machine interactions, cooperative payload transport by robot collectives, and omnidirectional wheeled robots.

High-speed robot, DeltaBot™, designed using Maplesoft™ technology

Maplesoft — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 05:00:00 Z

AEMK Systems is a company specializing in the design and distribution of high-speed, cable and vision-based robotics systems for use in a variety of industrial applications. They used Maplesoft technology to develop key aspects of the design of the DeltaBot, a robot based on an innovative cable-actuated delta-style design. “By using MapleSim and Maple, we will be able to design and test enhancements to the DeltaBot much more quickly than with other design tools,” says Dr. Khajepour. “These products make it possible for us to be very responsive to the needs of our customers and the changing demands of industry.”

MapleSim Used to Create High Fidelity Physical Models of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Batteries

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 05:00:00 Z

In recent years, the demand for hybrid-electric and fully electric vehicles has increased enormously. The development of such vehicles is a significantly more complex task than designing conventional cars because they incorporate many different engineering domains into a single system. At the same time, competitive pressures are forcing auto manufacturers to come up with new designs faster than ever before. The industry is turning to math-based physical modeling techniques which allow engineers to accurately describe the behavior of the components that comprise the system and the physical constraints on the system. These model equations are then used to develop, test, and refine designs very quickly, and without the expense and time required to build physical prototypes.

Mathematics software, Maple, is used by Renault to estimate the risk of an engine seizing

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:00:00 Z

Renault’s Mechanical Engineering Department has developed a Maple model that describes the general behaviour of a lubricated mechanical system, to predict engine seizure. This type of modelling, known as 0D-1D modelling, concentrates on describin

Maple the ideal vehicle for algebra students at Bath University

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:00:00 Z

Maplesoft’s mathematics software, Maple, is being used at Bath University to provide a framework for the teaching of complex mathematics problem solving and for students to complete course work and assessment.

MapleSim Helps Improve Your Golf Game

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:00:00 Z

In the world of golf, players are always looking for ways to improve their game, and equipment manufacturers are always looking for ways to give their customers an edge. Cleveland Golf / Srixon, an internationally recognized maker of golf clubs with a strong tradition of innovation, wanted to explore ways to increase the performance of their drivers. Their engineers turned to MapleSim, a physical modeling and simulation tool from Maplesoft, to help them in this project.

Shanghai Maglev Development Transportation Company uses MapleSim in their Modeling Projects

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:00:00 Z

Engineers at the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company Ltd (SMTD) recently chose MapleSim, Maplesoft’s multi-domain modeling and simulation software, as a core part of a new commercially funded controls research laboratory.

The Art of Modeling Seashell Morphology

Maplesoft — Thu, 27 May 2010 04:00:00 Z

Modeling the varied shapes of seashells is an appealing application of several mathematical concepts that are introduced in multi-variable calculus. And despite the staggering variety of shell shapes found in nature, the growth of almost all seashells can be described in terms of three exponential functions and a closed curve that describes the shape of the shell’s aperture, or opening. The challenge in modeling the morphology of these seashells is that the process requires a tool that combines mathematical muscle, outstanding 3D graphics, and a powerful programming language. It’s in this combination of requirements that Maple truly excels.

MapleSim Used to Rapidly Develop a High Fidelity Multi-Domain Model of a Robotic Space Rover

Mon, 17 May 2010 04:00:00 Z

Unmanned planetary exploration is a focus for many space research agencies worldwide today. To do this successfully, advanced autonomous robotic rovers are needed. Dr. Amir Khajepour, Canada Research Chair in Mechatronic Vehicle Systems and Professor of Engineering in the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering department at the University of Waterloo (UW), is working with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Maplesoft, and the Government of Canada, to develop a full solution for the power management system of autonomous rovers. Dr. Khajepour is a leading figure in mechatronics and robotics and he has chosen MapleSim, an advanced physical modeling tool from Maplesoft, as a key tool in his project.

Advanced teaching benefits with control hardware and modeling software

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:00 Z

Products supplied and supported by Adept Scientific are providing real teaching and research benefits at Bristol University. Use of a Quanser design control system is challenging students to look beyond the immediate project confines to find new solutions, whilst MapleSim modeling software is aiding postgraduate students in the development of robotic systems.

Chalmers University of Technology uses Maple T.A. to improve student success in mathematics

Maplesoft — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 Z

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, is considered one of Sweden’s most distinguished technical universities. The university’s programs are focused on research and teaching within technology and natural science, and mathematics is foundational to all technical programs offered at Chalmers. When the faculty at Chalmers realized that new students were struggling with advanced mathematics, they took immediate action.

Maple is used by Ulysse Nardin to lengthen the running time of new watches

Maplesoft — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 Z

Claude Bourgeois, an engineering consultant and former Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM) researcher, used Maple to model barrel springs made of composite materials compatible with deep etching on silicon. The use of composite materials should double the running time, i.e. the operating time of watches when they are at rest.

3-D Hall Sensor Algorithm Developed in Maple Produces a More Efficient Washing Machine Design

Maplesoft — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:00:00 Z

Dr. Frank Allmendinger leads a research and development project team at Marquardt GmbH, a German company that develops and manufactures switches and switching systems. Over the last three years, his team designed an innovative three-dimensional load and imbalance sensor, which is used in a new washing machine model from a well-known company in the "white goods" sector. The Marquardt group used Maple™ in this project. Dr. Allmendinger found Maple to be an invaluable tool, allowing him to work on complex problems such as modeling the magnetic fields, estimating the allowed tolerances for the magnet, and determining whether the tilt of the 3-D-Hall-Sensor module was within a very small tolerance of approximately two degrees.