SAM software is a Windows application that lets you create and optimize complex planar mechanisms. Flexible numerical analysis and post-processing instruments are available. There is support for standard AutoCAD drawings.

Design process

After starting the utility users are instructed to begin a new project from scratch or open one of the included templates. The component collection includes beams, sliders, gears, belts, springs, dampers and friction elements. All parts can be customized to better fit the layout.

It is possible to specify torque, mass and inertia characteristics. You can create complex mechanisms with multiple moving parts. Moreover, there is an option to import drawings from several common CAD programs.

Analysis

Users are able to simulate open or closed loops as well as massive gear trains. Tools for adjusting the maximum number of iterations and tolerance value are provided. Resulting graphs can be further processed in Autograph. There is a checkbox for automatically running the analysis after each modification to update the curves.

Features

free to download and use;
lets you design and test various 2D mechanisms;
there is a large selection of standard components;
it is possible to import DWG drawings;
users can specify custom torque, mass and inertia parameters for every element;
analytical and simulation instruments are included;
compatible with modern versions of Windows.