ITI GmbH released the latest version of SimulationX, its software for physical modeling of mechatronics systems. Version 3.3 provides functional enhancements and will be available with on-demand software licensing for the first time. The palette of ready-to-use, real-time capable models and physical components was expanded by ten percent. A highlight of the new release is the first independent SimulationX Modelica edition. The all-in-one installation package simplifies the installation process by installing all required program components via a single setup automatically according to the user's particular needs and profile.

SimulationX 3.3 is easily adjusted to the different profiles of users and is now available in two editions, SimulationX Professional edition and SimulationX Modelica edition. With the Modelica edition, Modelica experts can now design and exchange individual models by using Modelica language inside SimulationX. Users benefit from the combination of user friendly simulation software with the flexibility and formalism of a true Modelica platform. Delivering this new edition quickly to the market, ITI has responded to the growing demand for an open standard for exchanging models. Manufacturers, OEMs and service providers can now design, exchange and re-use simulation models.

The program handling safeguards the overview of the complete model, even during later changes and enhancements. Thanks to manually editable connections between model components and highlights in colors for dynamic visualizations, the user can immediately detect changes in the model. Quality of models and reliability of modeling results are increased while time for validation is reduced as, for instance, deviations from admissible values are observable at a glance. Another enhancement in ergonomics is achieved by additional views. The structure view and 3-D model view are enhanced with additions of documentation and text view, enabling models to be changed and enhanced directly in the Modelica text format.

One of the highlights of the SimulationX Modelica edition is the advanced graphic editor that allows the user to set up demanding graphics in a convenient way. The improved model explorer of the SimulationX StatechartDesigner displays the different states as well as the transitions between them. This simplifies the navigation within complex state charts. The SimulationX 3.3 Professional Edition broadens the modeling scope with more than 20 new model types in the power transmission library, e.g. for combustion engines, clutches, transmission elements, cam disc mechanism and propellers. Other new functions and model types are also available in the libraries signal blocks, actuation, electronics and magnetic. New features in the 1-D Mechanics allows for all elastic elements such as springs and dampers to be switched to rigid. This allows the user to analyze the model's kinematic behavior in a more precise and effective way.

The use of SimulationX models in real-time platforms significantly expands the possibilities in design, prototyping and series launch of machines and plants. SimulationX 3.3 contains interfaces to the NI real-time testing and simulation platforms LabVIEW and NI VeriStand as well as new solvers with constant step size. This facilitates the test and optimization of the model's real-time capabilities without biasing the model itself.

"We are proud to be able to offer our customers real functional innovation across all development areas. It's not in our development plan it's in our new release, and it's available now on schedule. Considering all enhancements connected with a 50 percent reduction in required results storage and increased solver speeds makes SimulationX an unbeatable modeling tool," says Thomas Neidhold, ITI manager software development. "SimulationX 3.3 is a genuine Modelica platform. It represents real-time capability, total user friendliness and greatest flexibility."