How does MapleSim compare?
 
• Like Simulink or VisSim
As well as traditional signal-flow functionality, MapleSim allows you to model at the physical component level. This generates block diagrams that look more like the original physical system.
Signal-flow only tools, however, are not well suited for physical modelling. They demand time-consuming and error-prone manual derivation of system equations and produce block diagrams that do not look like the original physical system.
- MapleSim Automates Physical Modelling
Eliminates algebraic errors and ensures model fidelity
Before using a signal flow tool, you have to derive your physical system’s dynamic equations by hand. This system description then has to be implemented in the signal flow tool with blocks that represent simple mathematical operations. This is time-consuming and the scope for error is enormous, and also requires a level of knowledge and skill that is not always available.
The physical components in MapleSim already understand the physical laws and dynamic equations they have to obey. And if you need to create new components, you simply do that by writing down the equations in natural maths notation in an easy-to-use Maple template, with no further algebraic manipulation required.
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- Maplesim's Multidomain Physical Components are Real-World Objects
Allows you to concentrate on higher-order effects, saving time in model development and making MapleSim far easier to learn
MapleSim has all the functionality of traditional signal flow tools, but it also has blocks that represent real-world objects. These real-world objects produce models that look far closer to a schematic of the real system, and gives you the flexibility to model physical systems, control loops and filters in a paradigm that suits each task best.
MapleSim’s physical components are drawn from a number of domains, including electrical, rotational and translational mechanical, multibody and thermal. Additionally, signal-flow modelling forces models into a fixed causality; if you want to calculate the value of another parameter, you have to change structure of the block diagram. MapleSim’s physical modelling paradigm, however, gives you the flexibility to change calculated quantities with a few simple mouse clicks.
This means that MapleSim is easier to use with a lower learning curve than signal-flow tools. This is because its use is not predicated on the ability to derive system equations, but on the inherent talent of engineers to visualise how physical components connect and interact in real systems.
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- MapleSim Applies Symbolic Techniques to Resolve Algebraic Loops
No need to use slow numeric iterative solvers
Signal-flow modellng can result in algebraic loops. This occurs when one of the inputs to a block or subsystem depends on the output.
Signal-flow tools accordingly resort to iterative numerical solvers to resolve algebraic loops. This requires intervention by the user to implement, and puts considerable delay in the simulation because it must go through many iterations, calculating a solution at every time step.
Additionally, in some complex models, the solution can be very sensitive to the iterative solver and numeric tolerances used, and can easily become unstable.
MapleSim uses symbolic techniques to automatically resolve algebraic loops.
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MapleSim symbolically resolves algebraic loops, but signal-flow tools use slow numerical solvers |
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- MapleSim Models Map onto the Real System
Makes it simpler to model complex systems, and share and reuse models
Signal-flow technology does not adequately represent how real-world systems interact. This results in block diagrams that bear no resemblance to the system under study.
MapleSim’s physical components better represents how real-world systems interact, and hence models look more like a schematic of the real system.
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- Integration with Maple Delivers Live Documentation, Insight and Advanced Analysis
Delivers an unparalleled degree of clarity and traceability, model assurance and shareable documentation
MapleSim provides full access to the underlying symbolic equations in a form that can be manipulated and analysed. By exploring the equations in the Maple document environment, you gain a greater understanding of your model structure. You can, for example, carry out parameters sweeps, optimisation your model or perform a sensitivity analysis.
MapleSim users have direct access to the full Maple environment, including a spectrum of analysis, visualisation, optimisation and documentation tools. This means you can explore, improve and document your designs in Maple’s easy-to-use environment, while maintaining an active connection to your MapleSim model.
You can also create physical components in Maple with easy-to-use templates in which you only have to write down the equations that define the component’s dynamics.
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