Can I use NI SoftMotion for SolidWorks to tune my PID control loops or simulate an advanced closed loop control algorithm?
No. NI SoftMotion for SolidWorks is not the right tool for you if your goal is to simulate closed loop dynamics that include the motor electromechanical equations (voltage/current, back-emf, torque constant), the current loop tuning, the percent overshoot/undershoot of the position and velocity loops due to the PID tuning, or to validate advanced control algorithms like LQR or H-infinity control. For those types of applications you can use a tool like MSC.Adams, MapleSim or the NI Control Design and Simulation Module. With LabVIEW 2009, the module now includes simulation examples for servo motors, induction motors and other electrical machinery such as a full wind turbine. The NI SoftMotion for SolidWorks tool sends position trajectories points from LabVIEW to SolidWorks and the mechanical simulation in SolidWorks calculates all of the forces and torques necessary for the motion assembly to traverse that trajectory. This is called indirect dynamics, since SolidWorks Motion is simulatin
