News

SAM 7.0 is now available

  • User Defined Results (only in SAM Professional)
    A sophisticated formula parser offers the possibility to combine simulation results in multiple ways to derive user defined results.
  • Constrained Optimization (only in SAM Professional)
    The feature of User Defined Results opens the path to perform constrained optimization by adding the constraint condition as a penalty function to the original function one is optimizing.
  • Easy Calculation of Bearing Forces in Moving Joints
    The calculation of bearing forces in joints is now equally easy for fixed and for moving joints. In previous versions of SAM the calculation of bearing forces in moving joints required manual steps, which have been eliminated.
  • New Transformation & Grouping Commands
    New transformation (mirror, translation, rotation, ..) and grouping commands have been added that allow the user to easily modify elements/mechanisms but also graphical items.
  • New Licensing System
    The new licensing system supports node-locked licenses and floating licenses. It is a two-step approach in which customers first receive an activation ticket. During the activation process, which requires internet access to send information to our central license manager, the final license will be generated and send to the customer.
  • Various Smaller Enhancements
    Display of a scale; export selection & reordering of a subset of results; when exporting a mechanism as DXF file also the displayed trajectories/path(s) are exported, ...
This video demonstrates some of the new features of the mechanism design tool SAM 7.0:

  • easy calculation of bearing forces
  • user defined results (post-processing)
  • constrained optimization (penalty functions)
  • selection/sequence of export results
  • node-locked and floating/network licenses

Annual License is now available

In order to better meet the needs of our customers we have introduced the concept of ANNUAL LICENSES next to the already existing PERPETUAL LICENSES.

It is now possible to obtain an annual license without any entry fee or obligation to continue after one year. Neither is there any automatic continuation of the license period. An annual license is always based on the latest available version of the software, so you are always up-to-date.

New Video Added

Simulation using belts and chains added. Go to our Youtube channel.

SAM 6.1.55 is available

The following issues are solved in this update:
  • "Division by zero" crash in case the Snap-To-Coordinate grid size is accidentally equal to zero in Preferences > Mouse > Mouse Snap. 
  • In the absence of a loaded project file an incorrect indication of the Unit System in Preferences>Number/Units>Setup Units might occur, in which case it does not correspond to the underlying units of position, velocity, ... 
  • Error message "Synchronisation of motions and/or loads not correct", while the tolerance limits under Preferences>Analysis>Solver Options are such that the deviations are smaller than the tolerance and the analysis should have been carried out.

What's new in SAM 6.0?

Optimization (Professional version of SAM only)

Taking the initial design/topology as a starting point one can for example further improve the quality in which the trajectory of a coupler point equals the target trajectory by changing the geometry of the mechanism within pre-defined ranges. Or one can minimize the peak or RMS value of the driving torque of a mechanism by adding a compensating mass and let SAM determine the optimal value of the mass and its position within the allowable range. Just as in the case of the trajectory optimization one can also specify a reference function and minimize the difference between the actual and the reference function. When designing for example fitness equipment one is generally seeking a predefined force as function of displacement.

The goal for optimization can be the minimization or maximization of a variety of properties (peak, RMS, average, ...) of the difference between the actual and the target behavior of a mechanism, such as:
Trajectory of a node (with of without prescribed timing)
Any motion or force quantity (as function of time or another quantity)

SAM seeks the optimum by modifying the following properties within user-defined ranges:

Geometry of mechanism
Element properties, such mass, spring constant, transmission ratio, ...
The optimization process in SAM is based on a two step approach, consisting of :
Exploration of the design space
Optimization of a specific solution

Context-Sensitive Right Mouse Button

In previous versions of SAM the user interaction model was based on "Select action from menu or toolbar, then select item to apply action to", for example Delete Element followed by a selection of the element to be deleted. Many programs, such as Microsoft Office, use a different approach which is based on "Select an item and press right mouse key to see which actions can be applied to the selected item". In order to satisfy both experienced SAM users and novice users which are used to the Microsoft Office approach, SAM 6.0 supports both user interaction approaches.

Tutorials

More tutorials are available online, you can watch the tutorial videos of SAM from the following Youtube channels. Please subscribe for more updates.

Youtube Channels:

References

Due to capabilities of SAM, ease of use and modest system requirements, more than 100 polytechnics and universities have already adopted SAM for their mechanism courses and practical exercises. Furthermore SAM is being used by a significant number of companies, among which renowned international companies active in the field of automobiles and packaging machines.

The following is the list of customers who are using SAM.
Educational Institutes Industrial Users
  • E-Tech (วิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีภาคตะวันออก) (Thailand)
  • Sri Ramana Educational and Charitable Trust (India)
  • Shri APM Trust (India)
  • Fachhochschule Emden (DE)
  • Berufsakademie Mosbach (DE)
  • Berufsakademie Eisenach (DE)
  • Helsinki Polytechnic (FI)
  • University of Texas at Arlington (US)
  • Jurusan Mesin ITB (Indonesia)
  • Shandong Univ. of Building Mat. (P.R. China)
  • National Central University (Taiwan) ISEP (Portugal)
  • Laboratoire de Robotique de Paris (FR)
  • Technical University of Budapest (Hungary)
  • University of Maribor (Slovenia) Kaunas
  • University of Technology (Lithuania)
  • Wroclaw University of Technology (Poland)
  • Silesian Technical University (Poland)
  • Fachhochschule beider Basel (CH)
  • Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel (BE)
  • Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg (DE)
  • Universität Gesamthochschule Siegen (DE)
  • Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden (DE)
  • Technische Universität Ilmenau (DE)
  • Universität Paderborn (DE)
  • Universität Stuttgart (DE)
  • IPK Magdeburg (DE)
  • Märkische Fachhochschule Iserlohn (DE)
  • Fachhochschule in Bocholt (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Brandenburg (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Reutlingen (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Köln
  • Fachhochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Mittweida (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Kempten (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Jena (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Regensburg (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Frankfurt (DE)
  • Fachhochschule-Schmalkalden (DE)
  • TU Chemnitz (DE)
  • Fachhochschule Giessen-Friedberg (DE)
  • Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (NL)
  • Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (NL)
  • Versfelt Ruygenhoek College (NL)
  • TH Rijswijk (NL)
  • Universiteit Twente (NL)
  • Hogeschool Zeeland (NL)
  • Hogeschool Eindhoven (NL)
  • Hogeschool 's Hertogenbosch (NL)
  • Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwaarden (NL)
  • Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (DE)
  • Ingenieurbüro B. Rudat
  • Roschiwal & Partner Ingenieur GmbH
  • Adolf ILLIG GmbH & Co KG
  • AAW Produktions AG (Liechtenstein)
  • Verhaert D&D nv (BE)
  • ITR (CH)
  • Uhlmann Pac-Systeme (DE)
  • Dornier Technologie (DE)
  • Nord-Micro AG (DE)
  • EDAG (DE)
  • Ingenieurbüro Zeller (DE)
  • Klöckner DESMA Schuhmaschinen (DE)
  • MAAG/LAS GmbH (DE)
  • Ingenieurbüro Hiesl (DE)
  • Optima filling and packaging machines GmbH (DE)
  • Burgert-Product GmbH (DE)
  • BEKUM GmbH (DE)
  • Händle GmbH Maschinen und Anlagenbau (DE)
  • W. Paul Müller Maschinenfabrik GmbH&Co (DE)
  • TEB Technische Entwicklungen (DE)
  • IBV-Ing.Büro (DE)
  • TNO-TPD (NL)
  • VDT (NL)
  • EBM Techniek bv (NL)
  • Nelcon bv (NL)
  • Nedcar (NL)
  • BDM Nederland bv (NL)
  • Enden Engineering (NL)
  • Fico Molding Systems (NL)
  • FOXmotion (NL)
  • Fontijne Holland (NL)
  • WP-Haton (NL)
  • K.H. Tevopharm (NL)
  • MEAF Machines (NL)
  • Imperial Tobacco B.V. (NL)
  • VSM Nieuwkoop B.V. (NL)
  • PrimaForma (NL)
  • Den Boer Staal b.v. (NL)
  • Hoogdonk B.V. (NL)
  • Berghuizer Papier Fabriek (NL)
  • HMFT B.V. (NL)

What is SAM?

SAM (Synthesis and Analysis of Mechanisms) is an interactive PC-software package from the Dutch company ARTAS-Engineering Software for the design, analysis (motion and force) and optimization of arbitrary planar mechanisms.
SAM linkage design optimization & simulation software

Mechanisms can either be generated via the design wizards or they can be assembled from basic components including beams, sliders, gears, belts, springs, dampers and friction elements. SAM integrates pre-processing, numerical analysis and post processing, such as animation and xy-plots, in an easy to-use environment offering pull-down menus, mouse support and help facilities.

The mathematical foundation of the analysis kernel, which is inspired by the well-known finite element approach, offers a large number of features and overcomes many of the problems of traditional mechanism programs. Open loop, closed loop, multiple loop and even complex planetary mechanisms can equally well be analyzed due to the finite element formulation. Even the most complex mechanisms, including planetary gear trains, can be modeled within minutes.

SAM is a popular tool for everybody involved in the conceptual design, motion/force analysis and optimization of mechanisms as applied in equipment, automotive industries (roof mechanisms of convertibles) but also in medical, lifestyle or domestic products. It has been using in many educational institutes and professional companies in Europe and around the world.

History, Present and Future
The development of SAM already started in 1985 (on a Kaypro-X computer and CP/M operating system) by Dr.ir. Adrian M. Rankers from ARTAS Engineering Software in The Netherlands. However it took until 1991 before the first DOS-version of the program was released and since then many enhancements have been added. A brief overview:
  • 1985 : SAM 0.0 Start of development (Kaypro-X, CP/M as O.S.)
  • 1989 : SAM 0.1 First DOS version
  • 1991 : SAM 1.0 First official release, kinematics only
  • 1991 : SAM 1.1 Printer/plotter drivers
  • 1992 : SAM 2.0 Kinetostatics of linkage mechanisms
  • 1993 : SAM 2.1 CAD import added
  • 1994 : SAM 2.2 Polar and relative node definition, formula parser
  • 1995 : SAM 3.0 First Windows version
  • 1998 : SAM 4.0 CAD-interface, various display options, ...
  • 1999 : SAM 4.1 Engineering units, project documentation, ...
  • 2001 : SAM 4.2 Kinetostatics of belt and gear, CAD-tool, ...
  • 2003 : SAM 5.0 Design Wizards, optimized analysis kernel, ...
  • 2005 : SAM 5.1 Non-linear spring, more and new input motions, ...
  • 2007 : SAM 6.0 Optimization, Context sensitive right mouse button
  • 2010 : SAM 6.1 Clamped cubic spline, extended automated optimization, new display features, automated updates, videos in GIF format, ...
Future plans for SAM include:
  • Extension toward modelling of to model rack/pinion and cam mechanisms
  • Synthesis of cam mechanisms
  • Dynamics module next to the existing kinematics and kinetostatics
  • Link to Matlab/Simulink
European Academic Software Award
SAM was submitted twice for the "European Academic Software Award" (EASA). Both times, after being evaluated very thoroughly by various international experts, SAM reached the final of this prestigious competition, which has been created to stimulate the development of high quality software for education and research. EASA is a joint initiative of various European institutes from Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain and Switzerland. The event is even supported by the European commission (directorate XIII).

About BIIX Mechanization

BIIX Mechanization Co., Ltd. is a professional engineering consulting firm specializing in development, implementation, and integration of factory automation technology for machine design & manufacturing.  The company consists of a group of energetic engineers and draftsmen with high experiences in machine, jig & fixture design.

BIIX Mechanization Co., Ltd. is the authorized distributor of SAM - The Ultimate Mechanism Design Software (a product of ARTAS Engineering Software)


If you have any questions, please contact us at here.

SAM Features

Design Wizard
SAM offers a set of design wizards which will help you to synthesize mechanisms for specific tasks, such as:
  • Angle function generation (a minimum of 3 pairs of input/output angles are to be satisfied).
  • 3-Position/angle synthesis of the coupler plane.
  • Approximated straight line motion.
  • Exact straight line motion.


Modeling
SAM is equipped with a large library of basic elements, including:
  • Beam, slider
  • Belt, gear
  • Sensor
  • Spring, damper and friction element (both translation and rotation)
  • Non-linear spring
which allows the analysis of a huge variety of mechanisms. The unique mathematical foundation of the program offers a large number of features and overcomes many of the problems of traditional mechanism programs. Open loop, closed loop and even multiple loop mechanisms are treated in the same way and even the most complex mechanisms, including planetary gear trains, can be modeled within minutes.



The DXF import/export facility lets you export your conceptual mechanism design to any CAD program to work out the details and it lets you import CAD data to easily set-up the mechanism in SAM or to perform animation of the final mechanism.



Input Motion
SAM allows the definition of multiple inputs, which can either be defined in terms of ...
  • Angle input motion: e.g. rotation from a motor
  • Elongation of a beam: e.g. displacement of a hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder
  • Relative angle: e.g. relative rotation of a robot elbow
Each of the inputs can be defined independently. Various frequently used input motion laws are available as follows:
  • Constant velocity
  • Polynomial
  • Cycloid
  • 2nd order velocity profile
  • Cubic splines
Inputs can also be read from an external ASCII file or defined via a table to enable the definition of arbitrary motions. This latter feature is especially handy for the modeling of non-standard cam profiles.

Analysis Results
Once the mechanism has been constructed and the inputs have been defined any of the following kinematic quantities can be calculated (all relative or absolute):

  • Nodal position, displacement, velocity, acceleration
  • Angles, angular velocity and acceleration
Furthermore SAM can perform force-analysis, thus enabling the calculation of:
  • Driving torque (force)
  • Reaction forces in bearings
  • Internal forces in elements
  • Required or transmitted power



Optimization (SAM Professional Only)
The optimization module of SAM Professional offers single-function multi-parameter unconstrained optimization based on a mix of evolutionary algorithms and Simplex techniques.

Taking the initial design/topology as a starting point one can for example further improve the quality in which the trajectory of a coupler point equals the target trajectory by changing the geometry of the mechanism within pre-defined ranges. Or one can minimize the peak or RMS value of the driving torque of a mechanism by adding a compensating mass and let SAM determine the optimal value of the mass and its position within the allowable range.

SAM seeks the optimum by modifying the following properties within user-defined ranges:
  • Geometry of mechanism
  • Element properties, such mass, spring constant, transmission ratio, ...
Watch the following video for more information.

Prices of SAM Mechanism Design Software

Unit Price: USD ***
Professional Standard Light
Kinematics (Motion)
x
x
x
Kinetostatics (Force)
x
x
-
Optimization
x
-
-
PERPETUAL LICENSE
Node Locked
2,490
1,810
1,240
Floating/Network
4,940
3,610
2,490
Node Locked (Educational Institute)
825
600
415
Classroom-Kit (Educational Institute)*
2,490
1,810
1,240
ANNUAL LICENSE **
Node Locked 825 600 415
Floating/Network 1,650 1,210 825
Node Locked (Educational Institute) 290 225 165
Classroom-Kit (Educational Institute)* 825 600 415

*  includes 100x floating institute licenses + 1x node locked teacher license + 100x free annual student license.
** Annual licenses are always based on the latest available version of the software.
*** Buyers from Thailand are subjected to 7% VAT from the prices shown in the table.

Remark: 
  • The latest version of SAM is SAM 7.0 as of August 2015
  • Prices are for license key only. Software and manual to be downloaded from website

Please fill in the following form to contact us regarding purchasing of SAM licenses.

Download

For evaluation purpose you can download the program with limited functionality e.g. limited number of calculation steps, file saving disabled, etc.


SAM requires the following hardware and system software :
  • MS Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
  • At least 20MB harddisk space (incl. manual).
FREE Download Setup File of SAM 7.0 ] - 7599 KB



SAM requires very short learning time (less than 30 minutes). Read the user manual to quickly learn how to use SAM.
[ FREE Download User Manual of SAM 7.0 (pdf) ] - 12105 KB

Please note that without a valid license key, the software can be used in demo mode, with restrictions.