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Engineering Calculation Software
5

Engineering Calculation Software

Engineering Calculation Software

(OP)
Hello All,

I would like to some advice on engineering calculations software.  Is there any cheaper (or even free) alternatives to MathCAD and something that can offer better presentation and error checking facilities than excel.

Thanks

OptiEng

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

Maxima is similar to MathCAD, but it doesn't have the word processor for math GUI. From what I understand it is really a Mathematica clone but having never used Mathematica I can't speak to that.

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

SMath Studio is a free program that is very good... Problem is limited documentation... do a web search...

Dik

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

(OP)
Thank-you all very much for this.  Having looked at all of them, it seems they will take a little getting used to but I will give them a go for sure.

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

(OP)
SMath seems very close to MathCAD, and very newly developed.

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

(OP)
Thanks that a good comparison table.  I started using 'SMath' today, nice software, but currently it does not support engineering units (contacted the developer and its in the pipeline for updates).  

Does anyone use a free programme that does cope with engineering units (e.g. m, Kg, etc).

My main purpose for using the software at the moment is for engineering calculations with formulas.

OptiEng

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

I believe that some version of Maxima can do units.

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

I sometimes find these sites to be of great use:

http://www.freecalc.com/list.htm

http://www.cheresources.com/software.shtml

http://www.efunda.com/home.cfm

I also really like the TI-89T handheld calculator and the PC-based software you can get for it.  You basically type in an equation and pick "SOLVE" from a drop-down menu.  Then, if you don't give it numbers to work with, it solves it in the form of an expression in terms of whatever alpha-numeric variable you want.

Frightening.

Regards,

SNORGY.

RE: Engineering Calculation Software

(OP)
Thats really useful to know, thanks.

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