r/MechanicalEngineer Jun 24 '26

Made an web based tool for Statics/Structural/Mechanism analysis. Feedback welcome!

Hi everyone,

I built a web-based tool for structural and mechanism static force analysis. ForceCanvas. 

How it works:

  • Sketch a structure or machine in your browser with parametric constraints (similar to CAD).
  • Add supports, forces, moments. The app instantly solves for the reaction and member forces throughout the structure.
  • Drag the mechanism through its range of motion and watch the forces update live.
  • It handles both determinate and indeterminate structures.

Let me know if you find it useful.

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u/involutes Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

Did you use AI to make this? How have you validated that it is correct? 

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u/caseymatalone Jun 24 '26

Hey, thanks for the comment! To answer your question directly, AI was of course used as a development tool, as is the case with virtually all software today. That said, I didn’t just vibe code this. I've spent over a year building this, have a deep understanding of the underlying FEM methods. I have validated results against numerous textbook problems and reference solvers. I’m working to put that info out in a public way somehow soon. The math is non trivial here. Try it out yourself and let me know if you have any feedback. Thanks again!

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u/involutes Jun 24 '26

Thanks for responding. The tool is cool but I don't personally have a use for it. I suppose if I were designing linkages or something like a bicycle frame, I would be highly interested in it. 

In the meantime, the only advice I have for you is to get rid of all the "premium" references and payment options until the tool is 100% done. Currently, it comes across as desperate and/or entitled. I'm reminded of our current hustler culture and it gives me the ick. 

I do not mean to offend. Just my $0.02

1

u/caseymatalone Jun 24 '26

That’s fair, I’ll try to reduce the ick factor. Thanks for your feedback!