2-dimensional multibody dynamics simulation software
sonar belongs to the newest generation of simulation tools and allows the continuous dynamic simulation of any number of objects in a complex mechanisms or machine. The universal applicability of sonar comes from the rigorous use of the method of finite differences on general problems as they appear in mechanical and instrument engineering .
A comparison with biology
The individual objects in a sonar model behave like single-celled organisms in biology. The object is the smallest living unit in sonar. Each object obeys inner and outer physical conditions, but also has sensory abilities and a memory in order to recognize the immediate environment and to remember it. Each object goes through the simulation individually. Movements or collisions are reconciled bilaterally between the objects involved .
Number of parts
The sonar code allows you to simulate a theoretically unlimited number of objects with individual, complex borders. Simulations with 60,000 parts have already been carried out and each part can interact with every other part .
The user determines an object’s constraints and environmental conditions, including forces, frictions, disturbances, motors, gravitational effects, external forces, and so on. Within the boundaries of these conditions, the program automatically takes care of the rest during the running simulation. By default, all objects interact with each other. The collision control between the parts can however itself be controlled and changed in certain respects with so-called active and passive objects or with so-called bilateral rules, just to name a few methods .
The software has its own simulation language (script language). This language is used for various tasks like
> Macro Language
> Command Language
> Control System Language
sonar can continually record every geometric and every physical variable of every part during a simulation (EXCEL Format). Films in the Vector- und Pixel formats (QuickTime movies) complement the material available for analysis .