Author: Sangsin Park Email: sangsin80@gmail.com
Date: Last modified on <12/07/18>
Keywords: <Type a few key words here e.g. Tutorial, how to, step-by-step>

The photo above depicts a LEGO pendulum model was created by Solidworks which allows you to simulate its behavior using Matlab Simscape Multibody (formerly SimMechanics). The big picture problems are how to make LEGO parts in Solidworks and how to combine a Solidworks' model with Matlab. This tutorial shows you how to begin Matlab Simscape Multibody with the pendulum model and takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Before starting, I used 'Solidworks 2017' to make a LEGO pendulum model. The resulting model is already shown at the top.

Here is the Solidworks assembly file which I made: lego_test_pendulum.zip .

You need to install Simscape Multibody Link to use your Solidworks model in Matlab and you can download it from the following link:

https://www.mathworks.com/campaigns/offers/download_smlink.html .

Once you have installed the Simscape Multibody Link plug-in, you must enable it on your SolidWorks application.

First, at the MATLAB® command prompt, enter smlink_linksw.

Next, start SolidWorks and in the Tools menu, select Add-Ins.

Finally, in the Add-Ins dialog box, select the Simscape Multibody Link checkbox. A Simscape Multibody Link menu appears in the SolidWorks menu bar when you start or open a CAD assembly.

Now you can export your Solidworks model. In the Tools menu, select Simscape Multibody Link, Export, and Simscape Multibody.

Here is the exporting file: lego_test_pendulum.xml.zip .

smimport('lego_test_pendulum')