2D plot for power/energy temporal evolution

2D plot for power/energy temporal evolution

A standard way to visualize results is to plot them in a plot window. Displaying power or energy variables can be achieved through a simple drag and drop from the Power, Energy, Activity window.

Figure 10: Easy plot of power and energy variables

The advantage of this representation as plots is that the values can be observed at any instant of the simulation and not only at the final time. As a consequence, it is easy to perform initial energetic analysis. For example, the peak power required by the system can be quickly identified. On top of that, similarly to what the Power, Energy, Activity window offers, when clicking on a curve, a label appears on the sketch to indicate the location of the submodel related to this curve. Consequently, it becomes straightforward to establish links between power/energy consumptions and the components.

Using the zooming capabilities of the plots, you can focus on a specific period of the simulation and thus restrict the analysis of the energetic behavior of the system to a particular operation (machining, stand-by).

With the plots, you can also create an XY plot. It is thus possible to visualize the evolution of power/energy variables against other variables. You can therefore plot and check assumptions about the phenomenon that governs power/energy consumption in order to improve the system. The figure below illustrates this feature on a damper by plotting the damper power losses against the mass velocity. The graph clearly shows that the higher the mass absolute velocity, the higher the losses.

Figure 11: How to use XY plot to visualize relations between energetics variables and other variables

If necessary, if batch runs or experiments have been performed, the results of these simulations can be plotted in the same window. This can be done by using the batch plot icon located in the plot window .

Quick visual comparisons between various system configurations or control strategies are convenient to select the best compromise between dynamic performance and energy efficiency.