The development of new technical products can no longer do without the use of computers. Individual components are designed in the computer and their durability is tested virtually, the interaction of several components with each other is checked. Finally, the interaction of different assemblies of complex technical systems, e. g. mechanical support structures, sensors, actuators and information-processing components, is described, their interaction simulated and optimized.

For all these tasks, specialized software is developed to support the engineer in the implementation of the tasks. Such software is based on mathematical methods and procedures. One of these methods is the method of multi-body dynamics. The engineer describes complex technical systems with a physical model consisting of bodies and connecting joints. This model reflects the essential dynamic properties of the system to be investigated. The corresponding software automatically generates a mathematical model, a system of differential equations.

These systems of equations are analyzed by numerical integration in the time domain. Results are the motion behavior and the internal loads under the effect of internal and external forces. With analyses in the
frequency domain, the vibration behavior of the systems is assessed.

alaska/MultibodyDynamics is a comprehensive software for simulating the dynamics of mechanical and mechatronic systems based on the method of multibody dynamics.