CAMS — A Graphical Interactive System for Computer Simulation and Design of Multibody Systems

CAMS is an integrated graphical interactive software system for symbolical modelling, numerical evaluation and design of technical devices which can be considered as multibody systems. No constraints are imposed on the type of the hinges or on the topological structure of the system, i.e. the system may contain an arbitrary number of bodies interconnected by hinges in a kinematic chain with an arbitrary number of closed loops. A 3D geometric modelling system DESCARTES and a system MOVIES for Movement simulation and animation are incorporated in the CAMS software system. CAMS could be applied both — to the analysis of the already existing technical systems for full utilization of their resources in a specific technological process, and on the stage of the preliminary design — for synthesis of systems with optimal characteristics. CAMS is created in several versions for IBM PC compatible, COMPAQ, PDP 11-34, PERQ II etc. Here the theoretical foundations of CAMS software are described and a brief specification of input data, main functions, output data and post processing posibilities are presented.