New product from Maplesoft Improves Web Handling Equipment
Maplesoft announced a new addition to the MapleSim family of products that allows design engineers to model roll-to-roll product lines and include web handling in machine simulations. The new MapleSim Web Handling Library is an add-on to MapleSim, a system-level modeling and simulation tool that enables machine designers to reduce development time, lower costs, and diagnose performance issues. The MapleSim Web Handling Library expands the modeling scope of MapleSim by adding rollers, drum brakes and other components that can faithfully simulate a machine’s handling of paper, plastic film, textiles, or foil. In addition to this new library, Maplesoft has released updates to the entire MapleSim family, which provide an enhanced user experience through expanded modeling libraries, new productivity features, and an increase in connector choices. In particular, control engineers can now connect MapleSim’s digital models to even more automation tools using MapleSim Insight to support optimal controller development using virtual commissioning.
Machine builders use system-level models at the early stages of automation design to predict the operating performance and to optimize machine responses. MapleSim is used to create a high-fidelity model of the machine that can be run through testing and simulation scenarios before a physical prototype is built. For production lines that include continuous rolls of paper, textiles, plastic films or foils, known as web, trying out different roller locations and tensioning options virtually means the most effective choices can be determined at an early stage. Design revisions that would be costly to make after prototyping can be applied to the digital model for a fraction of the time and effort. Using MapleSim and the MapleSim Web Handling Library, the engineer can proactively test physical changes, such as adding extra nip rollers or dancers and determine the impact of adjustments to the controller code. Users can then visualize the torque, tension, and web motion in 3-D. This information can be used to limit the fluctuations in tension that result in poor quality for downstream processes or even tear or stretch the web.