FAQ

Fake article for FAQ module.

Q
What are the costs of an upgrade ?
A

In general an update (bugfixes, indicated by an increased build number) is free of charge (it can be downloaded from the website and used with the existing license key). 

An upgrade offers new functionality (new functionality, leads to a new major/minor version number depending on the level of new functionality). An upgrade requires a new license key. This is offered to existing customers at reduced costs, which depend on the customer's current version. The upgrade costs are based on the cummulative upgrade steps (for example: the costs of upgrading from SAM 5.1 directly to SAM 6.1 are identical to the sum of upgrade steps SAM 5.1=>SAM6.0=>SAM6.1).

When upgrading the license count, or the license level of the same release,  the difference in purchase price is charged.

Please see the detailed price list for the current upgrade prices.

Q
How to model an inclined linear support/guiding ?
A

In some cases one wants to analyze a mechanism with an inclined linear guiding, which can not be modeled by "fixing" a node because this approach only works for horizontal or vertical linear guiding.

However, an inclined linear support can be modeled on the basis of the slider element. By fixing both the node and the angle of the base point of the slider, the moving node can only slide along a fixed line. 

Inclined%20Linear%20Guiding%20500x345 FAQ - SAM - The Ultimate Mechanism Designer - Artas Engineering

Q
What is the difference between kinetostatics and dynamics ?
A

In a kinetostatics analysis the input motion is pre-defined and the software calculates the forces that are required to perform the pre-defined motion. In a dynamics analysis (not supported by SAM) the driving forces are defined and the resulting motion is found via numerical integration.

 

Q
What does "over-determined" mean ?
A

The number of support conditions, (relative) fixations and defined input motions of the mechanism must be such that the system is kinematically constrained. If there are too many constraints, the mechanism is called "over-determined".

 

Q
What does "under-determined" mean ?
A

The number of support conditions, (relative) fixations and defined input motions of the mechanism must be such that the system is kinematically constrained. If there are not enough constraints, the mechanism is called "under-determined".