I have looked on & off for a general purpose engineering software calc package. Basically, to get the pen and ink notebook to electronic, editable form. I spend too much time with notes, editing, scribbling, and editing as the design converges.

I want to do the following:
-Learn the basics in a couple hours. (?)
-Make block sketches of rectangles, flow lines, arrows, and text notes.
-Make freehand mechanical schematics of mechanisms, levers, forces, pulleys, fulcrums, like would be seen in a physics or statics textbook.
-Make idea sketches quickly of assorted straight or curved lines, circles, etc.
-Add in formulas that would be easily handled in a simple spreadsheet. Almost all algebraic, powers and roots, with very rarely differential or integral equations.
-Create data curves or charts, either freehand for concepts, or as data plots from the results of the calculations.
-Write in the cover page with assumptions, discussions, presentation, design concepts.
-Export to PowerPoint to make a presentation.

-I use Excel a LOT, but it does not show the formulas or assumptions or design process.
-I use Word for keeping design notes and discussions. I insert Excel into it, but still limited on showing the calculations or steps or assumptions. Word has limited drawing/sketching ability.
-A co-worker puts most work on PowerPoint. While this is visually impressive to managers and presentations, I find the background and calculations sorely lacking.
-SciLab and Scicos freeware were recommended.
-Maple (?) And Mathmatica are more than we need, and apparently much harder to learn.

-A past co-worker loved MathCad, which looked good. It is cheap also, less than $150. Apparently it is one of the most commonly used. What sorts of experiences do the readers have with it?


no rush,
tks, kcj

Kevin wrote:

quote:

Word has limited drawing/sketching ability.

You have seen my training books and the drawings in them. What features do you want that are not in my Basic book?
Right Click on the Top Bar in Word and open "Customize Quick Access Toolbar" to get a Toolbar for drawing about anything.
Works for me and doesnt add to the cost of the software. I first started using that feature in Word 6.

Mr. PETER WROTE

quote:

scilab wiith scicos is free

I HAVE USED AUTOMATION STUDIO FOR MAKING DRAWING , CALCULATION , OPERATION SIMULATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING . Mr. PETER SAID THAT scicos with scilab is free software . I want to know that whether I could do all the operation ( what I do in automation studio ) in SCILAB with SCICOS . what are the main difference between both software . I am interested as it is free .

Peter wrote:

quote:

The problem I see is that there aren't cheap and easy tools for us to use to solve even simple question like where should the accumulators go. How does Luciano prove that putting a big accumulator at the HPU and small accumulators at the valves is better than putting a big accumulator at the valves. How do I prove otherwise?

I wonder if this and a lot of other questions/problems would not have ready answers if there were TRAINED/DEDICATED Fluid Power Engineers in the market place instead of depending on Flud Power Manufacturers and Distributors to do the TRAINING??????
Sees so simple to this Country Boy but must be a lot more complicated than I've imagined for all these years.

Hello all,
If you have question on automation studio sofware, please contact me : Jean-Pierre @ 514 748-1697 #312 or by mail, jpsancho@famictech.com

I work for Famic, we developpe and sell the software.Its the only sofware (design + simulation) that integrates Hydraulic, pneumatics and electric plus a lot more ...

I would give a free online demonstration of this software to anywhone interested.

we have automation studio for schematics. While nice for demo purposes, to me it is not an analysis tool. Putting in the speeds and loads and presure drops animates the circuit, but determining the dynamics is not really it's intent I assume.

Also, I am looking more for report writing with formulas shown, sketches made, typical eng'g notebook type information to document the deisgn process somewhat informally.