CFdesign V9 Generates First-Pass CFD Simulation, 1 in a Series

By DE Editors

Blue Ridge Numerics  (Charlottesville, VA) has released a new version of its CFdesign upfront CFD software for mechanical, electro-mechanical, and thermal engineers. In addition to new analysis features, CFdesign V9 enables engineers to set up and view first-pass fluid flow and heat transfer simulations quickly, and V9 is said to now generate high-fidelity design reviews up to 20 times faster than with previous versions.

The new automation process that more quickly completes simulations is based on two new features, auto mesh sizing and rules on parts. Auto Mesh Sizing performs a topological interrogation of the geometric model,  assigning mesh sizes based on curvature, geometric gradients, and proximity to neighboring features.

The new Rules on Parts feature intelligently detects MCAD part names within an assembly and automatically assigns volumetric boundary conditions and material properties. Boundary conditions include heat generation and total heat generation, both of which can be steady-state,  transient, or temperature dependent. Materials are assigned from CFdesign’s customizable library of fluids, solids, printed circuit boards, and the newly added two-resistor electronic components.

< < A CFdesign V9 simulation of a power inverter.

 

CFdesign V9’s new Accelerant Solver uses proprietary CPU optimization algorithms to reduce the time it takes to achieve fully converged fluid-flow and heat-transfer results.

New analysis features include Solar Loading, which shows transient electromagnetic heat transfer from the sun; Compact Thermal Models, which allow CFdesign V9, with just the Theta JB and Theta JC parameters, to supply board temperature, junction temperature, case temperature, heat transfer between junction and board, and heat transfer between junction and case for every component within the system; Free Motion, which shows movement of solids in any flow direction; and Thermostatically Controlled Fans and Blowers. 

Blue Ridge says that CFdesign V9 delivers its greatest value to the customer when used to conduct comprehensive design optimization studies prior to physical prototype testing. The software contains two new enabling technologies for this effort: process automation scripting and the design review server. Process automation scripting allows users to create a project-specific script that defines model setup, analysis execution, and results extraction for a large number of similar analyses that differ parametrically. The design review server distributes computations across available networked computers, providing a way to conduct extensive, highly interactive design review sessions while working within current hardware and network limits.

CFdesign V9 is fully associative and integrated with Autodesk Inventor,  Catia V5, CoCreate, Pro/Engineer Wildfire, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, and UGS NX. Fluid-flow and heat-transfer results can be transferred as an input deck for structural simulations in Abaqus, ANSYS, Cosmos, Nastran,  and Pro/Mechanica.

For more information, visit cfdesign.com.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.