SI
Excavator Design with Simscape™
Copyright 2023 The MathWorks, Inc.
This example models an excavator with hydraulic actuation of the swing motor and
cylinders for the boom, stick and bucket. A MATLAB App enables you to explore
the mechanical and hydraulic design space to calculate digging and lifting forces
according to international standards.
- Pin locations can be adjusted in Excel or in the app.
- Digging forces (BOF/TOF) are calculated according to ISO 6015:2016.
- Pin loads are calculated for BOF, TOF, and lift capacity tests.
- Load charts are determined at a range of arm positions.
- Relief pressure thresholds can be analyzed for each function and the pumps.
- Hydraulic regeneration valves are modeled to evaluate efficiency.
- Dig cycle time and efficiency are determined in dynamic simulation.
- Realistic soil loads are applied to the bucket using Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) software.
Open the project file Excavator_Simscape.prj to get started.
View on File Exchange:
You can also open in MATLAB Online:
Excavator Dig Cycle Animation Clip
BOF TOF Calculation, Design Solution App
BOF Calculation, Pressures and Forces
Load Chart, Design Solution App
Excavator Model
Excavator Model, Mechanical System
Excavator Model, Valve Block
Excavator Model, Soil Loads with ThreeParticle/CAE™
To learn more about modeling and cosimulation with ThreeParticle/CAE™ please visit
Excavator Model, Soil Loads and Terrain Interaction with Mevea
To learn more about modeling and cosimulation with Mevea please visit Mevea
To learn more about modeling and simulation with Simscape, please visit: