In Search for a Software Application for CAD Modelling of Biomechatronic Devices for Injury Recovery
摘要
Currently, several CAD software applications are available for product modeling; however, biomechatronic devices require the collaborative work of designers from various disciplines, including mechanics, mechatronics, electronics, computing, medicine, chemistry, and biology, among others. This should make it easier for users to utilize CAD software tools to model the various components that comprise a biomechatronic device. It should also enable motion simulations and facilitate file migration to other applications, such as manufacturing, 3D printing, PCB creation, thermal simulations, and fluid simulations. They also should permit motion simulations and file migration to other applications, such as manufacturing, 3D printing, PCB creation, thermal simulations, and fluid simulations, to name a few. This article outlines the requirements for a CAD software application in the modeling of biomechatronic devices. Three CAD software applications were evaluated through a case study focused on lower limb rehabilitation. This work was conducted during a Mechanism Design course for Mechatronics Engineering students, who evaluated these computational tools. At the end of the semester, students were surveyed to determine their overall perception of the course. Among the results of this research, it was found that the evaluated CAD software applications are suitable for specific tasks depending on the characteristics of the biomechatronic device. The student survey showed that their perception of the course was positive due to the instructor’s use of computational tools. At the end of this paper, a sequence of steps is suggested for selecting a CAD software application for modeling biomechatronic devices.