"README" FILE OF GEARS SIMULATOR 2.0.1 (DEMO)

***** SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

PC Pentium 
32 Mb RAM
Windows 95
Graphics Resolution 800x600
Graphics card compatible with Direct3D and 16 bits color (only for 3D views)

***** INSTALLATION:

Run "setup.exe" to install. DirectX runtimes and HTMLHelp are required for normal operation. If they aren't already installed, you can download them from :

http://download.microsoft.com/download/msdnlib/Install/1.32/W9X2KMeXP/EN-US/hhupd.exe
http://www.microsoft.com/directx.

The DEMO version expires after 30 days. Print and Save options are disabled. Only 10 components, including shafts, can be placed.
 
 
***** SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION:

This software helps in the design of mechanical systems including gear meshes, friction wheels and belt and chain drives. The components are placed on a flat workspace. Several components can
be placed on a single axis, leading to a third dimension. Detail, profile and 3D views give a comfortable viewing of different aspects of the system. Texts and images can be printed or exported to other applications for modification. They can be also included in other documents created by the user. The simulation shows the transitory and steady-state operation of the mechanical system, with the detail of the components motion or displaying the number of full rotations completed by each axis. The most relevant properties of the mechanism are always shown (power, speed and torque) in a report bar. This software is mainly addressed to high school teachers and students because it is simple and easy to use. The learning time to start using in a efficient way the simulatorm is really short, due to the graphical menus, status bars, examples of mechanical systems, mouse use and a complete help system.  Configuration options are useful for the personalized use of the simulator.  

***** VERSIONS:

1.0 (December 2001) First spanish version.
1.1 (April 2002) 
	Optional use of the comma as a decimal separator.
	Several properties of components can be modified.
	Help file updated.
1.2 (May 2002) 
	Diameters of the components are calculated according to their speed
	Moments of inertia are used.
	Characteristic curves of the motor are used.
	Loads and passive resistances are used.
	The transitory state is simulated.
	Help file updated.
1.3 (December 2002)
	First english version.
	The grahical user interface is improved.
	Starting tips are included.
	A straight line is shown when measuring distances.
	The motor in 3D views is shown.
	Loads and components can be placed in the same way.
	Added contextual help pressing F1.
	Help file updated.
1.4 (June 2003)
	Real involute gear profiles
	Variable pressure angle
	Helical and V-shaped gears with variable helix angle
	Variable thickness of components
	Real size printing
	Export to DXF for gears
	2 new examples
	Help file updated.
1.5 (June 2003)
	Placing components is now easier.
	Included information about cycloidal gears.
2.0 (September 2003)
	New components : helical gear, internal gear.
	New links : internal mesh, planetary gear train.
	Axis locking.
	Alternate colors for components to improve contrast
	2 new examples
	Help file updated.
2.0.1 (December 2003)
	Corrected bug that prevented runtimes installation
	Corrected bug causing crash after window minimization.

***** TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

Jaume Dellunde (jdellund@pie.xtec.es)

Online information :

http://poblado.com/simulator
http://simulator.has.it
http://simulator.pagehere.com