MathCAD MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides integration with PTC MathCAD Prime, allowing AI assistants like Claude to interact with MathCAD worksheets through a standardized interface.

Features

• Worksheet Management: Open, close, and save MathCAD worksheets
• Input Control: Set numerical values, strings, and matrices with units
• Output Access: Retrieve calculation results with proper units
• Calculation Management: Pause, resume, and recalculate worksheets
• Export Options: Save worksheets as PDF, RTF, and XPS files

Requirements

• Windows operating system (required for MathCAD COM automation)
• Python 3.10 or higher
• PTC MathCAD Prime 3.0 or higher installed
• Dependencies: MathcadPy, pywin32, and MCP Python SDK (see requirements.txt)

Installation

Quick Installation with Claude Desktop

1. Install the required dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

2. Run the installation script:

   python install_standalone.py
   

   Options:

   • Use --hide flag to hide the MathCAD window when running: python install_standalone.py --hide

3. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect.

Manual Configuration

Edit your Claude Desktop configuration file at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Mac) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mathcad": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": [
        "path/to/mathcad-mcp/standalone.py"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MATHCAD_VISIBLE": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

Usage

Tools

The server exposes the following MCP tools:

• list_mathcad_version: Get the running MathCAD version
• open_worksheet: Open a MathCAD worksheet from a file path
• close_worksheet: Close a specific worksheet
• close_all_worksheets: Close all open worksheets
• quit_mathcad: Quit the MathCAD application entirely
• save_worksheet: Save a worksheet to a specified path and format
• save_worksheet_inplace: Save the worksheet in place
• activate_worksheet: Bring a worksheet to the front
• set_real_input: Set a numerical input with optional units
• set_string_input: Set a string input
• set_matrix_input: Set a matrix input with optional units
• get_input: Retrieve the current value of a designated input (real/string/matrix)
• get_matrix_input: Retrieve the current value of a designated matrix input
• calculate_worksheet: Recalculate a worksheet
• sync_worksheet: Alias for calculating the worksheet
• pause_calculation: Pause worksheet calculation
• resume_calculation: Resume worksheet calculation
• get_output: Get a designated output value (real, string, or matrix)
• get_real_output: Get a numerical output value from a worksheet
• get_real_output_with_units: Get a numerical output value with conversion to specified units
• get_matrix_output: Get a matrix output from a worksheet
• get_matrix_output_with_units: Get a matrix output with unit conversion
• save_as_pdf: Save the worksheet as a PDF file (Mathcad Prime 5+ only)
• save_as_rtf: Save the worksheet as an RTF file
• save_as_xps: Save the worksheet as an XPS file
• is_worksheet_readonly: Check if a worksheet is read-only
• is_worksheet_modified: Check if a worksheet has unsaved changes
• set_worksheet_modified: Force-set the 'modified' status of a worksheet

Resources

The server exposes the following MCP resources:

• mathcad://worksheets: List all open worksheets
• mathcad://worksheets/paths: List worksheets with full file paths
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/inputs: List inputs in a worksheet
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/outputs: List outputs in a worksheet
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/output/{output_name}: Get a specific output value
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/output/{output_name}/matrix: Get a matrix output
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/output/{output_name}/with_units/{units}: Get an output with units conversion
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/info: Get information about a worksheet
• mathcad://worksheet/{worksheet_name}/status: Get the status of a worksheet

Prompt Templates

The server provides the following prompt templates to assist in MathCAD-related tasks:

• solve_equation: Template for solving mathematical equations
• plot_function: Template for plotting functions
• analyze_engineering_problem: Template for analyzing engineering problems
• unit_conversion: Template for unit conversion tasks
• create_worksheet_template: Template for creating new worksheet templates

Example Workflows

Example 1: Solving a Physics Problem

1. Open an existing MathCAD worksheet:
   "Can you open my physics worksheet at C:\Users\username\Documents\Physics\projectile_motion.mcdx?"

2. Set input parameters:
   "Set the initial velocity to 50 m/s and the launch angle to 30 degrees."

3. Calculate the results:
   "Now calculate the trajectory and show me the maximum height and distance."

4. Extract output values:
   "What's the maximum height reached by the projectile?"

Example 2: Engineering Analysis

1. Open or create a worksheet for analysis:
   "I need to analyze a beam deflection problem. Can you open the structural_analysis.mcdx worksheet?"

2. Configure the worksheet:
   "Set the load P to 5000 N, beam length L to 2 m, Young's modulus E to 200 GPa, and moment of inertia I to 4×10⁻⁶ m⁴."

3. Run the calculation:
   "Calculate the worksheet and tell me the maximum deflection."

4. Export the results:
   "Save the worksheet as a PDF so I can include it in my report."

Environment Variables

• MATHCAD_VISIBLE: Set to "true" to show the MathCAD application window (default), or "false" to hide it.

Architecture

The server is built using the MCP Python SDK's FastMCP framework. The main components are:

• standalone.py: Self-contained server script with MathCAD integration
• install_standalone.py: Utility script to install the server in Claude Desktop

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

COM Automation Errors

If you encounter COM automation errors:

• Ensure MathCAD is installed and properly licensed
• Check that you're running on Windows
• Try restarting MathCAD and the MCP server

Worksheet Not Found

If worksheets can't be found:

• Use absolute paths, not relative paths
• Ensure file paths are correctly escaped
• Verify the file exists and is a valid .mcdx file

Unit Conversion Issues

If unit conversion fails:

• Check for compatibility between units (e.g., length can't convert to mass)
• Ensure that the right unit symbols are used (e.g., 'm' for meters)
• Try using standard unit formats (e.g., 'm/s' instead of 'm*s^(-1)')

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• MathcadPy - Python wrapper for the MathCAD Prime automation API
• Model Context Protocol - Protocol specification and SDK