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

• BECKER 3D
• Simutopia®

To learn more about modeling and simulation with Simscape, please visit:

• Simscape Getting Started Resources
• Product Capabilities:
  • Simscape™
  • Simscape Battery™
  • Simscape Driveline™
  • Simscape Electrical™
  • Simscape Fluids™
  • Simscape Multibody™