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Simulation
Kerf vs MSC Adams (Hexagon)
The industry-standard multibody dynamics solver — versus an open-core CAD with rigid/flexible MBD, kinematics, and controls co-simulation.
12/12in Kerf today
9/12in MSC Adams (Hexagon) (included)
0behind a paid tier
2026-05-24last reviewed
Grouped by discipline (D1–D14), same as Kerf's own capability list. Click a section to expand it.
D1 Geometry & core CAD
| Capability | Kerf | MSC Adams (Hexagon) |
|---|---|---|
| LLM / chat-native editing |
yes
src/components/ChatPanel.jsx
|
no source ↗ |
D2 Structural / FEA
| Capability | Kerf | MSC Adams (Hexagon) |
|---|---|---|
| FEA load export |
yes
packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/fea_load_export.py
|
yes source ↗ |
D3 Machine elements
| Capability | Kerf | MSC Adams (Hexagon) |
|---|---|---|
| Gear geometry / tooth stress |
yes
packages/kerf-manufacturing/src/kerf_manufacturing/
|
partial source ↗ |
D9 Dynamics / motion / controls
| Capability | Kerf | MSC Adams (Hexagon) |
|---|---|---|
| Planar MBD (Lagrange/DAE, Baumgarte) |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/integrator.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| 3D MBD with constraint enforcement |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/joints.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Contact / collision dynamics |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/contact.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Kinematics (four-bar/slider-crank/cam) |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/forward_kinematics.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Flexible bodies (FEA mode shapes) | yes | yes source ↗ |
| Vehicle dynamics (Adams/Car) | yes | yes source ↗ |
| Controls co-simulation (MATLAB/Simulink) |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/
|
yes source ↗ |
| Robotics FK / IK (6-DOF) |
yes
packages/kerf-motion/src/kerf_motion/inverse_kinematics.py
|
partial source ↗ |
| Gear / belt / chain machinery (Adams/Machinery) | yes | yes source ↗ |
- yes shipped
- partial works with limits
- paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
- no not available
Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/adams.md and every claim in it carries a link.