Software displays contact forces in real time.

This article reports that DynaForce arms design engineers with a dynamic 2-D or 3-D color-coded picture of contact forces and distribution as they occur. The computer-based force analysis program is the first to plot forces in real time, claims Force Imaging Technologies Inc. John Deere Engine Works used DynaForce to test its 400 Series heavy-duty diesel engine and plans to use the software for future engine testing. DynaForce takes data from paper-thin sensors. These units are composed of a semiconductor grid set between two Mylar or Kapton sheets.