Rotor Dynamics Modeling Programs

[cincibcats]

Does anyone know of any good stand alone Rotor Dynamics modeling programs? I know that any FEA program could handle this. However, what I'm think of would allow me to place discrete components at the required locations then assign each component the appropriate specifications.

 

[mk2000]

This is mostly governed but not limited to the CAD software you are using. Usually mid range CAD software such as SolidWorks and Pro/E have recommended FEA software which works best with their modellers.

I have not used but hear Adams is a good dynamic modelling tool which works with any CAD software.

 

[SomptingGuy]

It's been a long time since I last used ADAMS (c. 1994) but it was clearly up to the job of Rotor Dynamics then. Not cheap though.

One neat thing about programs like ADAMS (and DADS for that matter) is that it it acausal in nature, unlike the block-based environments (Simulink etc) where you need to know how models interact when builind the model.

 

[GregLocock]

Nonetheless the OPs requirements are probably better met by a rotor program based on the maths we learned at uni. If he is only interested in bending and torsional modes then a spreadsheet using Holzer's method, and say Raleigh-Ritz, would do. I dare say the average theory of vibrations book of a certain vintage would include BASIC listings for such a program.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[WCFoiles]

Dyrobes is a good program.

XLROTOR uses Excel.

Regards,

Bill

 

[HalMcK57]

I started using XLRotor about 4 months ago and find it very satisfactory. We looked at XLRotor and DyRoBeS and found them pretty comparable. We selected XLRotor for two main reasons:
1.) Its Excel based format was appealing since I was familiar with it.
2.) We were working with Dr. John Vance (Texas A&M) at the time and he had a great deal of familiarity with the program.

We did speak with another engineer who had knowledge of the DyRoBeS program and thought it to be a good package, but no first-hand knowledge.

They are comparably priced (expensive! - XL was $6K), so I don't think you can go wrong with either of them. The salesman (owner?) from DyRoBeS claimed his product was better than XLRotor for large machines, but we build small engines so it wasn't a concern for me.

 

[cbrn]

Hi,
I do believe it's worth adding to the list the rotodynamics kernel MADYN. It's extremely powerful if compared both to XL-Rotor and DyRoBeS (allows for kinematic couplings of complex types, has very robust eigenvalues sorting in case of analyses in the complex domain, can calculate data for various types of bearings, can do statics, eigenvectors analyses, transients, harmonic response, spectral analysis, etc...
As far as I know, Dr Klement in Darmstadt is the original developer of the kernel, and you can purchase the "genuine" version of the program from him. Otherwise, there is Madyn2000 which should be based on the Madyn kernel 4 (of some sub-version, I don't remember which one), over which it adds a very user-friendly GUI.
Mathematically speaking, Madyn is in my opinion the most advanced kernel available for rotodynamics.

Regards

 

[johngeren]

Dyrobes can be used in excel too. You have to save the file as a .txt (just change the extension) file and import it into excel as a .csv After mods change the filename back to the DyRoBes extension and it can be read in (it's still just a text file).

It's good for shafts and symetric systems. It cannot handle things such as car engines from last info I heard from the programmers. I think it's 6-7 K a year. ANSYS can also now handle RD, but I have not used it.

 

[johngeren]

Oh forgot to mention, Dyrobes developer will call you back the same day if you email him. Dr. Wen Jeng Chen is his name, give him a call or email from the website (search for dyrobes).