The multibody dynamics and finite element simulation code has been developed since 1997. In the past years, more than 10 researchers have contributed to certain parts of HOTINT, such as solver, graphical user interface, element library, joint library, finite element functionality and port blocks. Currently, a script-language based version of HOTINT is freely available for download, intended for research, education and industrial applications. The main features of the current available version include objects like point mass, rigid bodies, complex point-based joints, classical mechanical joints, flexible (nonlinear) beams, port-blocks for mechatronics applications and many other features such as loads, sensors and graphical objects. HOTINT includes a 3D graphical visualization showing the results immediately during simulation, which helps to reduce modelling errors. In the present paper, we show the current state and the structure of the code. Examples should demonstrate the easiness of use of HOTINT.
Optimizing mechatronic components is of increasing importance, e.g. for minimizing energy consumption and the use of rare materials. MagOpt is a modular software tool for the simulation and optimization of mechatronic components. Parametric design optimization can be carried out with various different optimization strategies like gradient-based methods or multi-objective evolutionary or genetic algorithms. MagOpt features a flexible structure for the storage of complex data and an open and modular interface to existing third-party programs. One such third-party program which can be used by MagOpt for the optimization of mechanic components is the multi-body software HOTINT. This article describes MagOpt and how it was coupled with HOTINT to optimize a rotor geometry.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.