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RUNMEC Analysis of the motion Kinematics, Dynamics, Optimization Computer Program developed by |
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Originally the program has been
developed to demonstrate some powerful algorithms of motion analysis
and optimization of link dimensions. Original target group: the
students of the TU Delft who need to do practical excercises in
addition to studying the algorithms. After my retirement in 2005 the
program Runmec became my personal toolbox for mechanism design.
In 2020 I decided to develope a complete new version of Runmec that can
be used by anyone who is aware of link mechanisms and needs an easy
tool for investigating any (multi) link chain. Of course fully graphic
"what you see is what you get" and all theoretical issues hidden as
much as possible.
The first realization of this new idea has been released now as Runmec version 6.0. Actually it is a pre-release and it has not yet the same functionality as earlier Runmec versions. But I assure you it is worthwile to pay attention to this new version and I invite you to try out all options available so far. I did my best to bring in my life-time experience of mechanism design and I would be grateful to receive your response about the new development. Intentionally there is no detailed user manual: the program assumes intuitive use just supported by some help text. There is however a tutorial that describes briefly the capabilities of the program and that intends to guide the user actions and achievements.
Download of RUNMEC
The software runs under Windows XP and later. For
educational and non-commercial use the software is free without any limitation. See for details the
conditions for use.
Currently two versions are available:
- Runmec60_XP, developed on a Windows XP computer using the MS
Powerstation IV Fortran compiler. This version runs on all Windows computer
systems simply by starting the .exe file
- Runmec60_XE, developed on a Windows 10 computer using the Intel
Parallel Studio XE Fortran compiler. This version runs on Windows 10 (or later)
computers only.
It needs three DLL files from Intel that must be placed in the
same directory as the .exe file. These DLL's are included in the
zip-file that can be downloaded.
Up to now these two versions have identical functionality. It is the
intention to develop the XP-version as long as my XP-computer is
working. In the future only the XE-version will be available.
Click the button below for a download of the program. The file Runmec60_XP.zip or Runmec60_XE.zip must be unzipped in a directory of your choice. .
Use of RUNMEC
After start-up of the program the user can create a new mechanism project, that basically involves 3 project stages:
1) Create/add elements (links) to build a kinematic chain with 1 - 3
DOF's (Degrees of Freedom). At this stage you can drag the mechanism at
any node to view its movability.
2) Set a range for the DOF's to define a "run", specify the amount of steps and get the calculations done.
3) Demonstrate the motion on screen (animation).
The (intermediate) result can be saved
as a so-called project file (extension .mec). This file can be loaded
again to continue/modify the project.
Samples of prepared project files are available to show the
capabilities of the current program version. Of course they can be used
to test all kinds of actions.
Project files are text files readable for experts. It is not the intention to edit them with a text editor.
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Click here for a download of Runmec60_XP, the tutorial and the examples (1 MB) |
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First publication of the program: June 17, 2022
Current version issued on November 10, 2022. (same functionality but major improvements: better animation and problems wit memory leaks resolved)
Remarks about Runmec can be addressed to: anton_kb@hotmail.com
Homepage of the author: http://www.antonkb.nl