Experience of Using the Program “Universal Mechanism” for Calculating the Automation of Small Arms and Assessing the Prospects for Its Use

Abstract

An important step of designing automatic and semi-automatic small arms is to carry out estimated calculations of the operating ability of automation, implying determining the velocity of the bolt or the bolt carrier in the automatic work cycle. Classical methods for calculating the weapon automation are based on reduction mechanisms to some equivalent mechanism with one moving link and a reduced resistance force acting on it. This method is universal, but labor-consuming and difficult to formalize, which is associated with a wide variety of structural design of mechanisms. In addition, the assumptions used when reducing real mechanisms to equivalent ones, decrease the accuracy of calculations. Taking into account the fact that in modern conditions the stage of technical project ends with the creation of an electronic three-dimensional model of the product, it becomes possible to carry out kinematic and dynamic analysis of weapon automation using modern software systems. This should make it possible to decrease the complexity of calculations significantly while increasing their accuracy. This article describes the experience of using the program of kinematic and dynamic analysis “Universal Mechanism” for calculation of a semi-automatic traumatic pistol automation. A comparison of the results of calculating automation, performed on the basis of classical methods and by the program “Universal Mechanism”, is presented; the difference in the results in key points less than 5 %. As a result of the work carried out, the main advantages of the “Universal Mechanism” software package were revealed: the ability to calculate complex spatial interactions that were not previously taken into account by classical methods (feeding, reflection of the sleeve), the visibility of the process (the presence of animation) and the ability to create program modules independently. The main disadvantages include the laboriousness of introducing contact interactions (and impacts) and assigning the parameters of these interactions. As a result of the work carried out, it is concluded that the “Universal Mechanism” software complex is suitable for carrying out a kinematic and dynamic analysis of small arms automation mechanisms and there is a possibility of creating on its basis a modern computational and design complex adapted for the development of small arms.