Numerical simulation is often used in predicting machine behavior, a b
asic capability for many tasks such as design and fault diagnosis. How
ever, using simulators requires considerable human effort both to crea
te behavioral models and to analyze and understand simulation results.
I describe algorithms which automate the kinematic and dynamical anal
ysis needed to create behavioral models and which automate the intelli
gent control of computational simulations needed to understand a machi
ne's behavior over both short and long time scales. The input is a des
cription of a machine's geometry and material properties, and the outp
ut is a behavioral model for the machine and a concise qualitative/qua
ntitative prediction of the machine's long-term behavior. My algorithm
s have been implemented in a working program which can predict a machi
ne's behavior over both short and long time periods. At present this w
ork is limited to mechanical devices, particularly clockwork mechanism
s.