LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is a commercial simulation software for the modeling and analysis of multi-domain systems. It is part of systems engineering domain and falls into the mechatronic engineering field.
The software package is a suite of tools used to model, analyze and predict the performance of mechatronics systems. Models are described using nonlinear time-dependent analytical equations that represent the system’s hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, electric or mechanical behavior. Compared to 3D CAE modeling this approach gives the capability to simulate the behavior of systems before detailed CAD geometry is available, hence it is used earlier in the system design cycle or V-Model.
To create a simulation model for a system, a set of libraries is used, they contain pre-defined components for different physical domains. The icons in the system have to be connected and for this purpose each icon has ports, which have several inputs and outputs. Causality is enforced by linking the inputs of one icon to the outputs of another icon (and vice versa).
LMS Amesim libraries are written in C language and also support Modelica which is a non-proprietary, object-oriented, equation based language to model complex physical systems containing, e.g., mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, thermal, control, electric power or process-oriented subcomponents. The software runs on most UNIX platforms (particularly under Linux) and on Windows platforms.
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim 15 was released in July 2016.
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is a part of the Siemens PLM Software Simcenter portfolio. This combines 1D simulation, 3D CAE and physical testing with intelligent reporting and data analytics. This portfolio is intended to provide engineers and analysts with a comprehensive solution for development of complex products that include smart systems, through implementing a Predictive Engineering Analytics approach.
The LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim software was developed by Imagine S.A. a company which was acquired in June 2007 by LMS International, which itself was acquired in November 2012 by Siemens AG. The Imagine S.A. company was created in 1987 by Dr Michel Lebrun from the University Claude Bernard in France, to control complex dynamic systems coupling hydraulic servo-actuators with finite-elements mechanical structures. The initial engineering project involved the deck elevation of the sinking Ekofisk North Sea petroleum platforms. In the early 1990s, the association with Pr C. W. Richards, coming from the University of Bath in England, led to the first commercial release of LMS Amesim in 1995 which was then dedicated to fluid control systems. LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is used by companies in the automotive, aerospace and other advanced manufacturing industries.
In its use, LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is quite similar to Simulink.
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is a multi-domain software. It allows to link between different physics domains (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanic, electrical, thermal, electromechanical). It is based on the Bond graph theory.
The modelling of a system is done in four steps:
sketch mode: in which the different components are linked,
submodel mode: in which the physical submodel associated to each component is chosen,
parameter mode: in which the parameters for each submodel are set,
run mode: in which the simulation is started and results analyzed.
Between the submodel and parameter mode, the LMS Amesim model is compiled. Under the Windows platform, LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim works with the free Gcc compiler, which is provided with the software. It also works with the Microsoft Visual C++ compiler and its free Express edition. Since the version 4.3.0 LMS Amesim uses the Intel compiler on all platforms.
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim features:
Platform Facilities
graphical user interface, interactive help, supercomponents, post-processed variables, experiments management, meta-data, statechart designer
Analysis Tools
table editor, plots, dashboard, 3D animation, replay of results, linear analysis (eigenvalues, modal shapes, transfer functions, root locus), activity index, power and energy computation
Optimization, Robustness, DOE
Design Of Experiments (parameter study, full factorial, central composite), optimization (NLPQL, genetic algorithm), Monte-Carlo (random, Latin Hypercube, Optimized Latin Hypercube, with uniform or gaussian distribution)
Solvers and Numerics
LSODA, DASSL, DASKR, Fixed-step solvers, discrete partitioning, parallel processing, LMS Amesim/LMS Amesim cosimulations
Software Interfaces
generic co-simulation (to be used to co-simulate with any software coupled to LMS Amesim), functional mock-up interface (export)
MIL/SIL/HIL and Real-Time
plant/control (Simulink interface, Labview interface), various Real-Time (RT) targets (xPC, dSPACE, Opal-RT, LabVIEW, Etas, ...)
Simulator Scripting
scripting functions to pilot the simulations (from Microsoft Excel thanks to the provided Visual Basic subroutines, from MATLAB, Scilab, Python), circuit API (to build your own LMS Amesim-based applications in C and in Python version), script file generator (circuit API file automatically written from the existing model)
Customization
own customized pre and post-processing tools with python, script caller assistant, editor of parameters group, app designer
Modelica Platform
support of the Modelica modeling language, and support of subsets of the Modelica Standard Library (MSL) with dedicated tools: modelica editor, modelica import assistant, modelica compiler, modelica assembly
1D/3D CAE
CAD2AME (an integrated CAD reading, processing, parameter extracting and sketch generation tool), CFD software co-simulation (STAR-CCM+, Fluent, CFX, STAR-CD, Eole, ...), FEA import of reduced modal basis with pre-defined frontier nodes, MBS software cosimulation and import/export (LMS Virtual.Lab Motion or MSC.Adams)
Development
The user can develop his own submodels, by assembling different standard submodels (supercomponent) with AMECustom, or by programming them in C or in Fortran with AMESet. The C source code of most of the standard submodels are provided allowing the user to start from this base to fit them to his needs.
To create a system simulation model in LMS Amesim, components from different physical domains are assembled. The physical libraries have been developed through engineering services and partnerships with customers. In version 15, LMS Amesim offered up to 40 libraries to answer various application requirements.
Some LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim libraries:
Control:
Libraries: signal and control, engine signal generator
Components: continuous blocks, tables, functions, logics, hysteresis, discrete signal, routing, bus, cyclic components, ...
Electrics:
Libraries: electrical basics, electromechanical, electric motors & drives, electrical static conversion, electrochemistery, energy storage, fuel cells, automotive electrics, aircraft electrics
Components: resistor, inductor, capacitor, transformer, battery, alternators, synchronuous machines, induction machines, direct current machines, generators, direct Park, reverse Park, rectifiers, inverters, choppers, gradators, wires, fuses, relays, fans, blowers, lamps, window lift systems, magnetic coils, airgaps, leakages, piezoelectric actuators, ...
Mechanics:
Libraries: 1-D mechanical (linear and rotary), planar mechanical, 3-D mechanical, cam and followers, finite-elements import (FEM), powertrain, vehicle dynamics
Components: masses, springs, dampers, cams, rocker-arms, followers, rack and pinion, screw nut, worm gear, levers, gears, bearings, seals, couplings, clutches, chassis, tires, ...
Fluids:
Libraries: hydraulic, hydraulic component design, hydraulic resistance, filling, pneumatic, pneumatic component design, gas mixture, moist air
Components: tanks, volumes, orifices, pressure drops, bends, expansions, contractions, T-junction, bearings, poppets, spools, pistons, jacks, diaphragms, leakages, sealings, ... hydraulic/pneumatic pipes with wave effects and water-hammer effect, flexible hoses, speed of sound, shocks, ... fluids and gases properties database, ...
Thermodynamics:
Libraries: thermal, thermal-hydraulic, thermal-hydraulic component design, thermal pneumatic, aircraft fuel systems, two-phase flow, air conditioning, cooling system, heat exchanger
Components: thermal capacities, conduction, convection, radiation, exchangers, radiators, condensers, pumps, thermostats, compressors
IC Engine:
Libraries: IFP drive, IFP engine, IFP exhaust, CFD-1D, IFP C3D
Components: drivers, gearboxes, crankshaft, camshaft, cylinder, combustion, wall heat exchanges, air path, engine valves, compressors, turbochargers, pipes, injectors, after-treatment, catalyst, ...
Aerospace & Defense:
Libraries: Aeronautics and Space, Aircraft Fuel System, Rocket Liquid Propulsion, Aircraft Electrics
Components: flight mission, atmosphere models, flight dynamics (longitudinal, lateral, 6DOF), propellers (use of XFOIL to compute lift and drag characteristics), jet engine thrust models, fuel tanks with acceleration, orifices, flap valves, LOx and LH2 pumps/turbines, rocket combustion chamber, nozzle, electric VFG, transformer rectifiers, three-phase loads, DC generic loads ...
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim Suite:
LMS Amesim:
Core product for modeling and simulation of dynamic systems
Amecustom:
Customization of models and IP protection
to adapt and customize the appearance of models, create and publish ready-to-use catalogs, facilitate exchange of models, encryption capability
Amerun:
Run of existing models
run-only version, adapted for non-experts, to share validated models, standard LMS Amesim solvers and advanced features
Ameset:
Development of new components
to capitalize the know-how, open platform, integrated development tool for creating new submodels
LMS Imagine.Lab Sysdm:
The data management tool
to manage system data originating from LMS Amesim and other system simulation tools, providing a collaborative environment for Model-Based Systems Engineering data
LMS Imagine.Lab System Synthesis:
The system architecture and configuration tool
to configure and integrate models and controls into a logical view of the entire system for simulation
Education and Research
LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim is used by engineering schools and universities. It is also the reference framework for various Research projects in Europe.
