Tips & Tricks

Using a template CDL file for quick case set up in CFD-CADalyzer

If your simulations with CFD-CADalyzer typically include the same or similar type of physics, materials and boundary conditions then you can make the case setup process very efficient and quick with the use of a template file - a CDL file that includes the typical simulation settings.

Automatic covering of larger unwanted holes in CFD-VisCART

CFD-VisCART meshing automatically closes or covers holes in the geometry that are smaller in size than the cell size specified at the surfaces. To cover LARGER holes, the ‘Max Hole Size to Cover’ feature can be used. This feature, introduced in V2013.2, works to automatically cover larger holes in the geometry during mesh generation, and thus prevents the mesh from leaking into unwanted regions. This feature is available with all mesh types supported in CFD-VisCART.

Model clipping feature in CFD-VisCART and CFD-GEOM

For better visualization of the geometry and mesh, a model clipping feature was introduced in CFD-VisCART and CFD-GEOM V2013.0. The following sections illustrate the usage and benefits of this feature.

Grouping option for CFD-VIEW Data Import

Grouping feature in CFD-ACE+ GUI and CFD-VIEW comes in handy when working with complex industrial models. This feature allows putting BC patches or VC entities into a group that can be manipulated easily, to either set up properties or display specific post-processing attributes.

Improve Productivity Using Scripts [Video Format]

As simulations become more integrated with the design process, engineers often spend time on repeated operations that do not contribute to their productivity. There is a need for tools that could capture, preserve and transfer the knowledge within the organization or to its customers.

CFD-VIEW Scripting is easier than ever with Journaling

In addition to the numerous options and tools available via the CFD-VIEW user interface, the scripting capability of CFD-VIEW allows you to perform complex data processing on your simulation results, and gives you the option to run the post-processing phase of your simulation in batch mode.

Process optimization: the future of numerical simulation software

Optimization is becoming a very popular word. However, what does it mean and what does it involve? The goal of this e-tip is to give some keys about optimization concepts and its use in process optimization. In a first stage, we will describe the type of optimization problems that could be solved and in a second stage, the principles and algorithms will be presented. Finally, advantages and drawbacks of the different methods and algorithms will be addressed, with respect to the different types of optimization problems which can be solved.

Casting simulation: from prototype to performance

Passenger safety in cars, planes and other transportation vehicles is an ethical obligation, a legal issue and a technological challenge. Simulation is a well implemented tool in order to test the behaviour of a car body during crash. The models, including rapid deformation and rupture, are sophisticated and reliable. Currently, most properties used in such simulations correspond to homogenous and defect free materials. However, cars are manufactured before being crashed. And manufacturing routes such as casting, but also stamping, forging or welding, do not provide defect free and homogeneous materials.

Parallel processing

“To pull a bigger wagon, it is easier to add more horses than to grow a gigantic horse.” This paraphrased quotation nicely expresses the basic concept of parallel processing. The speed of sequential computers has been doubling every eighteen months, according to Moore’s law. However, at any given time, that speed is limited by the state of the art in integrated circuit design and manufacturing. To circumvent that limitation, it is possible to split a given computationally intensive task among multiple processors working simultaneously.

The manufacturing of sand cores

The manufacturing of iron, steel and non-ferrous castings is achieved using a variety of casting process designs, and most of these involve the use of sand cores which form the internal shape of the casting. A good quality casting requires a good quality core. Dimensional stability, uniform density, strength, hardness and permeability are some of the characteristics that need to be controlled. A good core must have suffi cient strength and hardness to be handled and to resist during the pouring of liquid metal. Suffi cient permeability is also necessary for the escape of gases generated during the casting process. The diff erent manufacturing processes and some of the issues related to core production will be discussed here.