Ever-increasing computing capabilities have allowed program developers to incorporate the fundamental engineering equations describing fluid flow into fast and accurate CFD simulation programs. CFD results allow virtual comparison of multiple design ideas and examination of the tradeoffs. In the process, the number of prototypes needed to achieve an acceptable design can be significantly reduced.
The total solve time for a SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation project is influenced by several factors, such as total cell count, project parameters, heat transfer effects, and convergence goals, to name a few. Let’s focus on what is possible by comparing total solve time for three different CFD projects on a variety of workstations.
Calculating the center of pressure for an object in two dimensions is typically straightforward. Generally, the forces align with the central axis, so the math stays linear. But what about in three dimensions? SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation makes it easy to calculate the center of pressure for an object. And by testing different values, it's simple to validate your answer to ensure accuracy.
Heat Pipe is a feature available in the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Electronic Cooling module that, as its name suggests, simulates heat pipes. Heat pipes efficiently transfer heat from a hotter surface to a colder surface using the principles of phase transition and conductivity.
This guide explains adding a local mesh control in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation. When interpreting results, we want to ensure that the data is accurate by refining areas with a higher cell count. It is important to consider that only certain areas may need to be optimized, which can reduce the overall effort of adding too many cells. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation introduces several local mesh settings to help pick the appropriate settings.
In this article, we demonstrate how to set up a static FEA (Finite Element Analysis) by reusing boundary conditions in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation. This method, known as a load transfer, allows flow parameters to act as an external load to solve for the ideal stresses of a model. An ideal scenario for this setup includes a wind velocity acting upon an object that can then be transferred as a loading condition to evaluate the stresses it causes our model to undergo.
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is a powerful tool used to simulate numerous fluid scenarios including recirculating flow. Recirculating flow is used in various applications, from the working fluid in nuclear power plants to coolants in automobile engines and electronics. To make the correct design decisions, one must understand the behavior of flow and heat transfer. Using the tools in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation can help make these critical decisions in the design of recirculating flow systems.
Once an initial Flow project has been completed in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, there is an additional tool we can use to optimize our goals. This is a Parametric Study called Design of Experiments and Optimization. The Design of Experiments and Optimization study allows us to optimize our design with multiple input variables.
Have you ever cooked a hot dog and then burned your mouth because you couldn't wait? I have, and I then wondered, "what is the best way to orient a hot dog so it cools down the fastest?" National Hot Dog Day is July 20th, so we might as well find the solution. The best method depends on your situation. This post shows how SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is a viable solution to manage heat transfer between a solid body and a fluid.