cfdesign manual

8/19/2019 Cfdesign Manual

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cf design

user’s guide

Upfront CFD

Version 9.0

Copyright (C) Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc. 1992-2006

R


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Copyright

The CFdesign product is copyrighted and all rights are reserved byBlue Ridge Numerics, Incorporated.

Copyright (c) 1992-2006 Blue Ridge Numerics, Incorporated. All

Rights Reserved.

The distribution and sale of CFdesign is intended for the use of theoriginal purchaser only and for use only on the computer systemspecified at the time of the sale. CFdesign may be used only under

the provisions of the accompanying license agreement.

The CFdesign Release Notes may not be copied, photocopied,

reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium ormachine readable form in whole or part without prior written con-

sent from Blue Ridge Numerics, Incorporated. Blue Ridge Numerics,Incorporated makes no warranty that CFdesign is free from errorsor defects and assumes no liability for the program. Blue RidgeNumerics, Incorporated disclaims any express warranty or fitness

for any intended use or purpose. You are legally accountable forany violation of the License Agreement or of copyright or trade-mark. You have no rights to alter the software or printed materials.

The development of CFdesign is ongoing. The program is constantlybeing modified and checked and any known errors should bereported to Blue Ridge Numerics, Incorporated.

Information in this document is for information purposes only and

is subject to change without notice. The contents of this manual donot construe a commitment by BRNI.

Portions of this software and related documentation are derivedfrom and are copyrighted by Symmetrix and Ceetron.

All brand and product names are trademarks of their respective

owners.


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Table of Contents

CFdesign User’s Guide i

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

1.2 Overview of Upfront CFD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.3 Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

1.4 Product Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

1.5 Starting CFdesign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

1.6 The Basic Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

1.7 CFdesign Client-Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

1.8 CFdesign File Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

1.9 Compatibility with CFdesign 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

1.10 Contact Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

CHAPTER 2 The User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.2 The Basics of the User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

2.3 Tool Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

2.4 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-82.5 Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19

2.6 Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22

2.7 Entity Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24

2.8 Entity Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-26

2.9 Feature Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-27

2.10 Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-302.11 Task Dialogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-37

2.12 Additional Parameters (Flags File) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-43

CHAPTER 3 Geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

3.2 What is Flow Geometry?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1


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3.3 Pro/Engineer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

3.4 Parasolid and Acis Based CAD Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

3.5 CATIA V5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17

3.6 Outlets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24

3.7 Lost List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25

3.8 Suppressed Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27

3.9 Third Party Mesh Import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27

CHAPTER 4 Loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.2 Application of Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

4.3 Surface Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

4.4 Volumetric Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-114.5 Transient Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

4.6 Physical Boundary Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

4.7 Initial Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

4.8 Graphical Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

4.9 Feature Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

CHAPTER 5 Mesh Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.2 Geometry Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

5.3 Fully Automatic Mesh Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

5.4 Automatic/Interactive Mesh Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

5.5 Optional Step 1: Size Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

5.6 Optional Step 2: Extrusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22

5.7 Geometric Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34

5.8 Advanced Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35

5.9 Manual Application of Mesh Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37

5.10 Graphical Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42

5.11 Mesh Enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43

5.12 Meshing by Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46


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5.13 Generating the Mesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47

CHAPTER 6 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

6.2 The Materials Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

6.3 Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

6.4 Solids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-17

6.5 Surface Parts (Shells). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22

6.6 Resistances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32

6.7 Internal Fans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-47

6.8 Centrifugal Pump/Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54

6.9 Check Valves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-59

6.10 Rotating Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-616.11 Compact Thermal Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-66

6.12 Printed Circuit Boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-72

6.13 Graphical Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-79

6.14 Feature Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-79

CHAPTER 7 Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17.2 Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

7.3 Linear Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

7.4 Angular Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18

7.5 Combined Linear/Angular Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34

7.6 Combined Orbital/Rotational Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45

7.7 Nutating Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-53

7.8 Sliding Vane Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-63

7.9 Free Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-70

CHAPTER 8 Analysis Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

8.2 Flow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1


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8.3 Compressibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

8.4 Heat Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

8.5 Optional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

CHAPTER 9 Analyze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

9.2 The Analyze Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

9.3 Analyze Mode: Steady State or Transient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

9.4 Transient Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

9.5 Save Intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

9.6 Analyze!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

9.7 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14

9.8 Analysis Queue (Batch Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-149.9 Analysis Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15

9.10 Manual Convergence Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21

9.11 Advection Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22

9.12 Result Output Quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23

9.13 Convergence Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25

CHAPTER 10 Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-110.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

10.2 Convergence Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

10.3 Monitor Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

10.4 Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8

10.5 Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18

10.6 Animate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19

10.7 Report Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20

CHAPTER 11 Viewing Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-111.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1

11.2 Results-Specific Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2

11.3 Feature Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6


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11.4 Entity Blanking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12

11.5 Results Probing on Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12

11.6 Color Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13

11.7 Cutting Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-14

11.8 Cutting Plane - Particle Trace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-27

11.9 Cutting Plane - Bulk Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-36

11.10Cutting Surface - XY Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3711.11Iso Surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-43

11.12Wall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-44

11.13Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-47

11.14Dynamic Images: Design Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-50

11.15Design Review Center (DRC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-56

CHAPTER 12 Results to FEA Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-112.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

12.2 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1

12.3 FEA Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3

12.4 Transfer of Multiple Time Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6

CHAPTER 13 Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-113.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

13.2 Definitions and Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1

13.3 Assembling a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2

13.4 Managing Analyses in a Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5

13.5 Viewing Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9

13.6 Design Review Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12

CHAPTER 14 Analysis Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-114.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1

14.2 Incompressible Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2

14.3 Basic Heat Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-7

14.4 Porous Media Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-11


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14.5 Multiple Fluids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

14.6 Boundary Layer Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

14.7 Periodic Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

14.8 Transient Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-20

14.9 Height of Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-21

14.10Moist/Humid Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-22

14.11Steam/Water Flows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2314.12Radiation Heat Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-24

14.13Solar Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-40

14.14Compressible Flows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-46

14.15Joule Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-51

14.16Motion Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-53

14.17Rotating Regions: Turbomachinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-55

14.18Moving Solids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-64

CHAPTER 15 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-115.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1

15.2 Problems between CAD and CFdesign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1

15.3 Problems During Meshing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4

15.4 Startup Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-8

15.5 Divergence Before Iteration 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-11

15.6 Divergence After Iteration 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-11

15.7 Divergence Later in the Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-12

15.8 Oscillating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-12

15.9 Contacting Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-13


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CHAPTER 1 Getting Started

1.1 Introduction

Congratulations and thank you for choosing CFdesign as your Upfront CFD Solution!

CFdesign 9 represents a major step forward for all engineers responsible for prod-

ucts that incorporate fluid flow and heat transfer. CFdesign is a design tool, andincorporates many features that make flow analysis a valuable and practical part ofthe product design process.

CFdesign has been developed from day one for multi-faceted product developmentteams using MCAD tools such as Pro/Engineer, CATIA, Autodesk Inventor, Solid

Edge, Unigraphics, Solid Works, and many others. Powered by proprietary numeri-cal techniques and leading-edge computational methods, CFdesign features a trueassociative relationship with components and assemblies, and automatically applies

the optimal mesh required for accurate fluid and thermal simulations.

The principal Value Drivers of CFdesign are summarized below:

A Tool for the People No specialist skills are required

Collaborative software leveraged by an entire team

Process Continuity CFdesign fits into existing MCAD-driven workflow

Overhead Reduction Department-level expenses decrease

Notable savings in staff time, materials, and need for

outside servicesInnovation Gateway Allows rapid exploration of new ideas

Promotes better understanding of produce perfor-

mance


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1-2 CFdesign User’s Guide

1.2 Overview of Upfront CFD

CFdesign is built upon the Upfront CFD Solution Platform. The platform is shown:

There are six fundamental pillars of Upfront CFD, each shown as a separate item in

the graphic. Each pillar represents a part in the process of performing a CFD analy-sis. The most significant aspect of this concept is that the process is repeatable--multiple design iterations can be analyzed, compared, and communicated with

those in the design chain efficiently and effectively. Each pillar is described in more

detail below:

CAD Integration

Starting in the CAD system of your choice, the component or assembly model youbuild is all CFdesign needs to deliver a reliable fluid flow and heat transfer simula-

tion. A direct link to the major geometry engines eliminates the need for IGES,STEP, or STL. Make a change to the model in your CAD system, and the change will

be a part of the CFdesign analysis.


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G e t t i n g S t ar t e d

Mesh Generation

CFdesign employs finite element mesh generation with numerous intelligent algo-rithms to make the process automatic and transparent. By using automatic,

unstructured meshing, CFdesign quickly meshes complicated (real world) geometrywithout forcing the user to become an expert in the application of mesh generation

tools. Assignment of the mesh distribution to geometry is virtually automatic, andis based on a highly detailed geometric interrogation of the geometry.

Tools such as Shell surfaces allow significant reduction in overall mesh sizes byallowing the inclusion of solid surfaces within three dimensional volumes. MeshEnhancement automatically refines the mesh to focus nodes and elements in areas

of high physical gradients. Finally, new technology has been developed to mesh

large assemblies more efficiently, using less computational resources.

Simulation Scope

CFdesign solves the mathematical equations which represent heat and momentum

transfer in a moving fluid. The finite element method is used to discretize the flowdomain, thereby transforming the governing partial differential equations into a set

of algebraic equations whose solution represent an approximation to the exact (andmost often unattainable) analytical solution. The numerical formulation is derivedfrom the SIMPLER solution scheme introduced by Patanker1. More detail is available

in the Technical Reference.

The influence of Fluid-Structure Interaction is a very significant element in many

mechanical devices. The CFdesign Motion Module brings this capability to the worldof product design as a key element of Upfront CFD. Through simulation, this Module

allows understanding the interaction between fluids and moving solids to be inte-

gral to the product design process.

The flow analysis is often just the beginning in many analysis-design projects.

Results from CFdesign can be applied as structural boundary conditions for subse-quent analysis with many popular FEA packages. Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic-induced pressures as well as temperatures can be interpolated directly onto the FEA

1. Patankar, S.V., Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, Hemisphere Publishing,

New York, 1980


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mesh. This very powerful capability completes the “analysis circle,” and is a majorintegrating factor of CFdesign into the Design Supply Chain.

Simulation Speed

The intuitive user interface in CFdesign makes setting up the simulation very easy.Using engineering language, the user simply applies the material and operating

conditions that are needed. Combined with many intelligent algorithms, analysis

set-up is fast and easy for users with no CFD experience.

In many design situations, running many “what if” scenarios is the key to the opti-

mal design. Because of time constraints, a single license often just won’t get the job done. With the Fast Track Option, our on-demand licensing plan, engineering

groups can temporarily ramp up their analysis capability in order to get the jobdone quickly. Unlike an ASP or “main frame” scheme, this system allows engineer-ing groups to utilize in-house computer resources without having to send out pro-

prietary data over the internet.

Design Review

Results are displayed at every step of the calculation. The user can interact with the

model, and view results real-time using cutting planes, iso surfaces, xy plots, andparticle traces.

Because CFdesign is a design tool, it is very important that results from multiple

analyses be viewed, compared, and contrasted easily. The Design Review Centermakes it easy to get a true apples-to-apples comparison between all of the analy-

ses in your project.

Project Collaboration

Sharing results with other members of the design supply chain is easy using theDynamic Image, a part of the Design Communication Center. Using our free plugin, interactive images can be viewed in PowerPoint, Word, and Internet Explorer.The person viewing a Dynamic Image can pan, zoom, and rotate the model, to see

your results from every angle.


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1.3 Documentation

There are three books that make up the CFdesign documentation. They are:

This book, the User’s Guide, contains the following chapters:

Book Description

User’s Guide The fundamentals. Discusses geometry require-

ments, the user interface, and analysis techniquesExamples Guide Tutorial models in a step-by-step format.

Most facets of using CFdesign are covered.

Technical Reference Verification models, underlying theory, and Script-

ing language

Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Introduction Introductory information

Chapter 2: User Inter-face

The CFdesign User Interface is described.

Chapter 3: Geometry Discusses required geometry, some things to

avoid, and “inversion” techniques to obtain the

flow volumeChapter 4: Loads Boundary Conditions and Initial Conditions

Chapter 5: Mesh Sizes Mesh sizes and guidelines

Chapter 6: Materials Creating and Assigning materials

Chapter 7: Motion Creating and Assigning solid-body motion

Chapter 8: AnalysisOptions

Flow parameters

Chapter 9: Analyze Running the analysis, the Fast Track option

Chapter 10: Review Assessing convergence, animation, Report Gener-

ation

Chapter 11: Viewing

Results

Results Visualization tools; Dynamic Images

Chapter 12: Results to

FEA Loads

How to map CFdesign results as loads for FEA

analyses


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1.4 Product Configurations

CFdesign Solver comes in three different functionality configurations: Basic,

Advanced, and Motion.

Chapter 13: Projects Using projects for setting up multiple analyses;Visualizing results on projects using the Design

Review Center

Chapter 14: Analysis

Guidelines

Application-specific information

Chapter 15: Trouble-shooting

Problem explanations and solutions

Basic Solver FeaturesAdditional AdvancedFeatures Motion Features

Incompressible and Sub-

sonic

Compressible

Full compressible Rotating machinery

Laminar flow Scalar models(general scalar, steam/water, moist air, vol-

ume filling)

Moving objects: Linear,angular, combined lin-

ear/angular, orbital,nutating, and slidingvane motion

Turbulent flow Transient Flow-induced Motion

Heat Transfer

(conduction and convection)

Radiation Free Motion with auto-matic collision detec-

tion

Steady State Joule Heating

Solar Heating

Chapter Description


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1.5 Starting CFdesign

Direct launchers for Pro/Engineer, Inventor, Solid Edge, and Solid Works are

included in the CFdesign installation. Additionally, a new analysis can be createdfrom a Parasolid or Acis file by launching CFdesign from the Desktop or Start Menu.

The details of how to use each launcher are discussed in the following table:

1.5.1 New Analysis

A new analysis is always created from geometry.

Pro/Engineer Click Applications_CFdesignCATIA V5 Click the CFdesign icon in the CATIA Toolbar:

AutodeskInventor

Click Tools_InventorCFdesign_Launch CFdesign

Solid Edge Click the CFdesign icon in the Solid Edge Toolbar:

Solid Works Click the CFdesign icon in the Solid Works Toolbar:

UGNX Analysis_Launch CFdesign9.0:

Parasolid

(.x_t) or Acis(.sat) file

Start CFdesign from the Desktop using the CFde-

sign shortcut icon:


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1.5.2 Existing Analysis

Existing analyses are opened using the Open icon in the toolbar:

The file extension for an existing analysis is “.cfd”. Make sure the Analysis bullet isselected near the bottom of the dialog box.

The only time it is required to open an existing analysis from the CAD system is ifthe geometry is from Pro/Engineer, AND you intend to construct a new mesh. Oth-erwise, always open existing analyses by starting CFdesign from the Desktop or

Start menu, hitting the Open icon, and selecting the desired “.cfd” file. Note: if anexisting analysis is launched from the CAD system and run, a new mesh will begenerated, even if the mesh definition is not changed.

1.5.3 Projects

A project is a collection of analyses--in the same way an assembly is a collection ofparts in most CAD tools. Projects have two primary functions: to facilitate model

set up for similar analyses and to facilitate post-processing of similar analyses. Both

functions are described in Chapter 11 of this Guide.


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Note: An analysis is ALWAYS created from geometry--when CFdesign is launchedfrom a CAD tool, an analysis is always either created or opened. It is NOT possible

to go from a CAD system (or a Parasolid or Acis file) directly to a project.

A project can, however, be created or opened from within an open analysis(thereby making the analysis a member of the project):

The opposite is also possible: an existing analysis can be imported into a project.

Additionally, a project can be created or opened outside of an analysis by startingCFdesign and hitting the New or Open icon, respectively, and selecting Project.

More information is presented in the Projects chapter of this guide.

1.6 The Basic Process

This section briefly summarizes the process of setting up, running, and visualizingresults with CFdesign. Starting CFdesign from various CAD systems with the direct

launchers and from the Desktop is discussed in a prior section. After the analysis isnamed, the following general steps must be taken:

1. On the Feature Tree, set the Analysis Length Units system.

2. Using the Loads Task Dialog, apply boundary conditions and, if required, initialconditions.

3. In the Mesh Task Dialog, apply mesh sizes to volumes, and if required for localrefinement, to surfaces and edges.

(2) Analysis

(3) Project

(1) CAD

Analysis

Project


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4. Switch to the Materials Task Dialog, and apply materials to all parts in themodel. If necessary, create custom materials and add them to the Materials Data-

base.

5. If the analysis is to include moving solids, switch to the Motion task dialog, andcreate and assign the motion to the intended parts.

6. Using the Options Task Dialog, select the physical model(s) to be used withinthe analysis.

7. In the Analyze Task Dialog, input the number of iterations to run and the

Results Save Interval. Hit GO to start the analysis.

8. During the analysis, switch to the Results task dialog to view the results as theyare calculated. Use the Convergence Monitor to keep an eye on the solutionprogress.

9. When the analysis is finished, use the Review task dialog to assess the finalconvergence and to ensure that the solution is converged.

10. Switch to the Results task dialog to view the results.

11. Optional: add this analysis to a new or existing project. Return to the CAD sys-tem and modify the geometry. Launch back into CFdesign, and create a new analy-sis. Place this analysis into the project. Transfer the settings from the first analysis

to this one, and run it.

While this may seem like a lot of steps, the User Interface is designed to guide the

user through each, in the proper order. A separate icon controls each task dialog,and these icons are arranged vertically on the side of the User Interface. By simplystarting at the top-most icon and working down, each task is performed easily and

logically.

1.7 CFdesign Client-Server

1.7.1 Introduction

CFdesign is built upon a client-server model. The user interacts with CFdesign

through the Interface Client (CFdesign.exe). When the command to start the analy-sis is given, a signal is sent to the Server (CFdserv9.exe) indicating that the analy-

sis needs to begin. The Server in turn sends a signal to the Solver (cfdcalc.exe).This last step initiates the transfer of the model data from the Interface to the

Solver and then instructs the Solver to commence with the calculation. While theanalysis is running, the visual results are transferred from the Solver back to the


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Interface to provide for the Run-Time Results Display. When the analysis is com-plete, the Server directs the Solver to send the final results back to the Interface.

On a stand-alone installation, this entire process is transparent to the user. After

hitting Go, the analysis runs, the analysis data files are kept in the user’s workingdirectory as the communication between the Server and the Interface and Solver

clients is managed automatically.

1.7.2 Fast Track

This client-server model allows CFdesign users to run analyses on a remote (net-

worked) computer. This kind of implementation is called Fast Track. The analysismodel is constructed and meshed on the local computer (using the CFdesign Inter-face), but the actual calculation occurs on a remote computer. In this situation, the

Server directs the Interface to put the analysis model files physically on the remote

Solver computer for the calculation. When completed, the Server moves the filesback to the Interface (User’s) computer.

1.7.3 Server Manager

For most installations, the Server is configured automatically during the installationprocess. However, there is a dialog that controls the operation of the Server.

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The Installation Directory is the CFdesign load point. The Analyze Directory, bydefault, is a sub-directory within the CFdesign installation but can be any writable

directory on the local machine. This is where temporary files are written during theanalysis. The Install button registers the Server as a Windows service. This causes

the Server to start automatically every time the machine is started. The Installationand Analyze Directory fields are set during the installation. They can be changed

manually, if necessary. Additionally, the Server is started for the first time duringthe Installation.

If the Server must be stopped (such as when installing an update to the Server),open this dialog, and click the Stop button. Be sure to start the service again after

the new file is in place.

1.7.4 Installing on a File Server Computer

1.7.4.1 Introduction

CFdesign can be installed such that the installation files reside on a file server

machine, and the User Interface and Solver run on users’ local machines. Theserver process called CFD Server 9 runs locally and manages the communicationbetween the User Interface and the Solver (this is true for a single node installation

as well). In this type of configuration, however, the service (running on the localmachine) must run under an account that has read-only access on the file server

machine. Otherwise, the service will not have the necessary privileges to send com-mands to the executable residing on the file server.

As part of every analysis, temporary files are written to an “analyze” directory

located on the user’s machine. Additionally, a small program (the Server Manager)that configures and manages the server process must also be installed on eachuser’s computer. A separate installation program (ClientofFileServer.exe) is

included on the installation CD that installs these items, and must be run on each

user’s machine. This is very quick, and installs the Server Manager, creates a localAnalyze directory, and creates the necessary environment variables.

1.7.4.2 Installation

As part of the software installation on the file server, be sure to check the Central-

ized File Server Install box in the Select Features dialog.


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After installing the software on the file server, create a domain user account for theservice. (This may require assistance from your Information Technology or Techni-

cal Support Group.) This can also be done between two machines within the sameworkgroup by creating the same account on both machines. This account should

have read-write privileges in general, but can have read-only access on the fileserver. Additionally, this account needs the “Log On As A Service” privilege.

On each user’s machine, as administrator, run the ClientofFileServer.exe found

on the Installation CD. This will prompt for:• A directory on the local machine where the analyze directory and theServer Manager are to be installed.

• The UNC path of the CFdesign network installation.

• The account name and password of the service account.If the service account is not automatically granted the “Log On as a Service” right,

then it may be necessary to manually perform the following steps on the client

machine:

• Starting the Control Panel,

• Go to Administrative Tools,

• Select Services.

• Click on the Cfd Server 9 service.

• On the Properties dialog, click the Log On tab.

• Click the “This Account” bullet, and enter the account login name andpassword.

• Click Apply.

1.8 CFdesign File Types

Here is a list of files saved for each CFdesign analysis:

Extension Description

cfd The analysis file. All settings, results, and analysis parametersare stored in this file. Parasolid and Acis based geometries are

included in this file.

cts Component thermal summary. Lists average, maximum, and

minimum temperatures for every part in the model.


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dccrt Report template information. Stores report layout and contentinfo for each analysis. (Reports are modified using the Report dia-

log on the Review task.)

res.s# Results file. Binary file containing raw results data from iteration

#. This file does not have to be in the working directory to viewresults, but is required to continue an analysis.

set Setting file. Contains all of the settings applied within an analysismodel.

sol Solver file. Contains convergence data for each degree of free-

dom for each iteration.

st Status file. Contains a record of the analysis process and errorand warning messages, if a problem occurs. Lists residual valuesfor each iteration.

sum Summary file. Contains quantitative information about the analy-

sis.

smh Summary history file. This contains all of the summary files from

all re-starts.

_client.log Client log file: record of actions taken by the Interface. Describescommunications and actions performed before, during, and after

an analysis.

_gcp.bmp Bitmap file of Summary Convergence data. Automatically createdfor use by the Report Generator.

_mesh.log Mesh log file: record of meshing steps. Good file to examine if

meshing problems occur.

_mi.vtf Model Image file: Dynamic image of analysis model. Automati-

cally created for use by the Report Generator.

_model.log Model log file: Contains geometry-related error messages. Goodfile to examine if problems occur when reading geometry intoCFdesign.

_s.cfd Support file: Automatically created copy of the cfd file containing

only settings and geometry (parasolid and acis). Does not containmesh or results. Useful as a way to share analysis with otherteam members or with Technical Support.



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Some additional files of interest:

1.9 Compatibility with CFdesign 8

Open your v8 analysis directly into v9. The settings should all migrate into the v9format. Any settings that were lost due to changes in the Parasolid or Acis geome-try kernels will be listed in the Lost List. This list is accessible by clicking the Show

Lost button on the appropriate dialog. If the Show Lost button is not visible, thenthe migration to v8 did not incur any errors.

Note that for best results, the v8 analysis should be saved in the latest version ofv8. For Pro/E analyses, this means that the analysis should have been launched and

saved into the latest version of v8. Importing analyses from earlier builds of v8 mayresult in a few lost settings.

_solver.log Solver log file: Contains a record of actions taken by the Solver.Describes communications and actions performed before, during,

and after an analysis.

_partname

_motion.csv

Motion Summary File: Generated for Motion analyses. Contains a

time-summary of the forces, displacements, and velocities ofmoving solids.


pjt Project file. This lists the analyses in a project.

mdb Material database file. Can be modified and placed in a location of

choice. Use File_Preferences to indicate default location.

vtf Dynamic image file

vus View settings file



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1.10 Contact Information

For those customers that have purchased CFdesign directly from Blue Ridge

Numerics in the United States and Canada, please contact us for support andlicensing using:

For those customers that have purchased CFdesign directly from Blue Ridge

Numerics in Europe, please contact us for support and licensing using:

For those customers that have purchased CFdesign directly from Blue RidgeNumerics in Asia, please contact us for support and license using:

Target Number or Address

Phone Support 434.977.2764 (Support = Option 3)

Fax Number 434.977.2714

Support e-mail [email protected]

License Request [email protected]

Sales e-mail [email protected]

web site http://www.cfdesign.com

ftp site ftp://ftp.cfdesign.com


Phone Support +44 (0) 1628 501 570 (Option 2)

Fax Number +44 (0) 1628 826 768


Password Request [email protected]





Phone Support +1 434.977.2764 (Support = Option 3)

Fax Number +1 434.977.2714


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Blue Ridge Numerics also has a strong reseller network throughout Europe and

Asia. If you purchased CFdesign through a reseller, please contact that resellerdirectly for support and licensing.


Password Request [email protected]






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CHAPTER 2 The User Interface

2.1 Introduction

This chapter describes how to use the CFdesign User Interface without going intothe technical specifics of the fluid flow and heat transfer analysis process. (This isdiscussed in later chapters.) Details about customization, the tool buttons, the fea-

ture tree and dialog regions as well as entity selection and groups are covered inthis chapter.

2.2 The Basics of the User Interface

Graphics

Feature Tree

Task Dialog

File Tool Bar

Region

Display Tool Bar

Menu

Region

Task Tool Bar

Status Bar


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The model is shown in the Graphics Region. The background color can be changedusing the Background Color tool button (described in the next section).

The File Tool Bar at the top controls file manipulation activities--Creating, Opening,

and Saving files. The Display Tool Bar controls the display of the interface and themodel. The Task Tool Bar controls which task dialog shows in the Task Dialog

Region. The Feature Tree lists the applied parameters, and can be used to modifyapplied conditions (loads and mesh sizes). Additionally, it is used to control the dis-

play of individual parts and materials in the model, and to control the display ofresults quantities.

The Menu Region contains commands for file manipulation and for setting prefer-ences. The main Help menu is also in the Menu Region. The Task Dialogs containcommands for setting up the analysis.

The default arrangement of the interface is shown in the above graphic. The display

and location of the Horizontal Tool Bar, the Feature Tree, and the Task DialogRegion is customizable. To hide any of the entities, single click on the top bar of theTask Dialog Region (or left side of the tool bars):

To resume a hidden object, click on the double lines under the Menu region:

Each of these items can be undocked (moved to a different location) by dragging onthe double lines with the left mouse button. If the object is released near an edge

of the graphics window, it will become docked (will not block a displayed model). If

Windows

2000

Windows

XP


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an object is released away from an edge, then that object will become separate,and will have its own title bar. It can be moved to any desired location, and can

occlude the graphics window.

An object can also be hidden by clicking the “X” in the upper right corner. Toresume a closed object, right click anywhere on another object (Feature Tree, Task

Dialog Region, or Tool Bars), and a menu will appear:

Check the desired object to open it again. Additionally, an object can be hidden by

unchecking it on the list.

2.3 Tool Buttons

This section describes the tool buttons on the File and Display Tool Bars. Some

additional buttons appear in Results Display mode, and are discussed in the ResultsVisualization Chapter (11).

NewOpen

Add to Project

Save AnalysisSave Image

Save VTF

Outline Image

Shaded Image

Center of Rotation

Reset View

Z-Clip

Incremental Rotation

Zoom

Previous View

Wireframe Nav

Perspective View

Coordinate AxisBackground Color

(dynamic image)

Transparent Image

Zoom to Fit


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Left: New. This icon is used to create a new analysis orproject.

Right: Open. This icon is used to open an existing analy-sis or project.

Put the current analysis into a project. This is displayed

when an analysis is open, and when pressed, the user is

prompted to enter a new project name or to select anexisting project.

Bring an analysis into the current project. This is dis-played only when a project is open, and when pressed,

the user is prompted to select an analysis to add to theproject.

Save the current project. This is displayed only when a

project is open. Hitting this icon saves the project and allanalyses within the project. (Note: analyses are savedautomatically when the software is exited.)

Save the current analysis. When only an analysis isopen, this saves the analysis. When a project is open, this

saves only the current analysis. (Note: analyses aresaved automatically when the software is exited.)

Save image. This saves a jpeg, bitmap, gif, or tif imageof the current contents of the Graphics Region.

Select the file type from the Format field, and use the

Browse button to specify the destination path and thename of the file. Click Ok to save the image.

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Save Dynamic Image. This saves a “.vtf” file, which isan image that can be viewed in the free viewer distrib-uted with CFdesign. It can also be viewed in PowerPoint,

Word, or Internet Explorer if the free plug-in is installed(details in the Results chapter). Unlike a “traditional”

image, this image is navigable--it can be panned,

rotated, and zoomed.

View as Shaded. The model is shown filled.

View as Outline. The model is shown as an outline.

View as Transparent. The model is shown transparent.

Center of Rotation. This icon launches the following dia-

log: Use the slider bars to adjust the center of rotation of

the model. While this command is active, a sphere is

drawn on the model, graphically indicating the center ofrotation.

Reset View. The model is returned to its default orienta-tion.

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Z-Clip and Crinkle Cut Launches the Z-Clip dialog:

Use the slider bars to clip into the model. Parts of themodel that are between the plane and the user are made

invisible. The following is an example of a clipping plane:

For some models with close parallel surfaces, reducingthe Mesh Factor increases the visual clarity of the clipped

display.

Crinkle Cut is a way to view the mesh inside of the model,

and is available in Results Viewing.

Standard Views and Incremental Rotation. This iconlaunches the following dialog:

The Standard View buttons orient the model using theCartesian coordinate system. The slider bars rotate themodel in discrete increments about the screen axes (pos-

itive x is to the right, positive y is up, and positive z is outof the screen), not the model axes.

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Left: Zoom. After clicking this icon, hold down the leftmouse button and drag a box around the region to zoom.Release the button when finished dragging. The icon

must be clicked again to zoom again.

Right: Previous View. Returns the model to the previ-

ous orientation and zoom.

Wireframe Navigation. When enabled (pressed in), the

model will navigate in outline mode. When disabled, themodel display does not change when navigated.

Perspective View Toggle. When enabled, model is

shown in Perspective View.

Coordinate Axis Toggle. When enabled, the modelcoordinate axis and the axis bounding box are shown.

Note: Several functions in the Results task as well asMonitor Points use model coordinates. These coordinatesare referenced from the model coordinate axis, which

is positioned at the model origin.

Background Color Selection. This dialog allows thebackground color as well the color scheme to be modi-

fied: the colors can be varied from top to bottom, towardthe corners, in a radial pattern, or as a constant. A full

color palette assists in color selection.

Zoom to Fit. This rescales the model to fit entirely in the

Graphics window. The orientation is preserved, but themodel is centered within the Graphics window. This is auseful feature when navigating the model extensively to

reset the location and size.

model coordinate axis

bounding box axis


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2.4.6 Output_Archive

An Archive file contains the settings, mesh, and only the last saved results set.This is useful for analyses in which numerous results or time steps were saved dur-

ing the run, but only the last set needs to be saved. Also, the last results file (job-name.res.s# or jobname.res.t#) is saved. An “ _a” file can be continued simply byhitting Analyze_Go. This file is most suitable for archival purposes IF intermediate

result sets or time steps are not required.

2.4.7 _Export

CFdesign can write out the model and results in several formats for use in othertools. Prior to Version 8, data was saved in these formats by setting a flag entry in

the external flags file. This menu contains the following output file formats:

_Universal Mesh Exports only the mesh in Ideas Universal file format

_Tecplot Results Exports the results in Tecplot file format

_FieldView Results Exports the results in FieldView file format

_Nodal Results Exports the results on every node in the model (csv

format)

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2.4.8 _Preferences_User Interface

This is a way to set preferred defaults and to customize the interface. The Prefer-ences dialog is shown:

Modifiable Parameter Description

Dialog Placement Sets the default location of the Dialog Region.

Select the left or right side of the interface. If theFeature Tree is positioned on the same side, then

the Top and Bottom bullets become active, allow-ing placement near the top or bottom of the

interface.

Feature Tree Placement Sets the default location of the Feature Tree.Select the left or right side of the interface. If theDialog Region is positioned on the same side,

then the Top and Bottom bullets become active,allowing placement near the top or bottom of the

interface.

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Material database This sets which materials database CFdesignreads. (The default material database is the one

included in the CFdesign installation folder.) Ifyour organization uses custom materials, this

option allows use of a centrally located materialsdatabase.

Report Settings The items in the Report Settings section allowcontrol of several parameters affecting Reportgeneration. Use these settings to specify thelocations and names of the default analysis and

project report templates, to locate a corporatelogo file and to set a user name.

A set of default templates are included in theCFdesign installation folder, and the default User

Name is the account login name. The default logois left blank. These items are described in detailin the Review chapter of this manual.

Background Color The two default choices are black and white. Usethe Background color icon to further customize

the background color.

Startup Length Units The choices are the standard length units sys-

tems: meters, cm, mm, feet, inch-BTU/s, andinch-Watt.

Perspective view Choose to enable perspective view or disable it.

Navigate as wireframe Choose to navigate in outline mode or in the cur-

rent display mode.

Navigation Mode Choose mode 1 or mode 2. These modes aredescribed in the next section (Navigation).

Preserve Blanking whenChange Selection Mode

“Yes” causes blanking to not reset when theselection mode is changed.

Blank Edges when Blank

Volumes

“Yes” causes edges to blank when the associated

volume is blanked. This is especially useful forvery complex geometries.

Show Coordinate Axes “Yes” displays the coordinate axes by default.

Modifiable Parameter Description

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All settings are invoked as soon as OK is hit. The exception is the Startup LengthUnits, which is applied only when an analysis is created

2.4.9 _Preferences_Settings Rules

Many analysis models are based on assemblies having multiple instances of the

same part. Every instance of the part typically has the same settings, and are used

repeatedly in numerous analyses.

This feature allows the automatic assignment of a volumetric boundary conditionand a material based on the part name. For many analysis models this feature will

greatly simplify and streamline the set-up process because it automates applicationof key volumetric settings to a large number of parts, eliminating the burden ofhaving to apply a large number of settings manually. This feature should greatly

impact electronics cooling analyses in particular due to the large number ofrepeated parts in electronic devices.

Rules defined with this dialog are automatically applied when an analysis is created

if the “Apply” box is checked. Rules are not automatically applied when an existinganalysis is opened.

Settings that can be applied as rules include volumetric boundary conditions andmaterials that do not require any directional inputs in their definitions.

Settings rules are stored with other preferences in the cfdesign90.usr file. This file

is contained in the Documents and Settings\ account \.cfdesign folder, whereaccount is the name of login account.

2.4.9.1 Boundary Conditions

Heat generation and Total heat generation conditions can be applied as settings

rules. Conditions can be defined as steady state or transient, and can be assignedas temperature dependent. Note that temperature dependent conditions use the

temperature of the local part (and not a remote location) as the sensing location.

2.4.9.2 Materials

The materials available for application as settings rules are:

• Fluids

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• Solids• Compact Thermal Model component

• Printed Circuit Boards

Note that materials must currently exist in the Materials database before they can

be used in a setting rule.

2.4.9.3 Usage

To define a settings rule, click File_Preferences_Settings Rules. The Settings

Rules dialog will open:

To create a new rule:

1. Click the New button, and specify thename of the rule when prompted.

2. Specify the part name or a portion ofthe part name in the Part Name field. Therule will be applied to parts that contain

the specified name as a part of the com-plete name.

3. Define settings that will be applied to

every part having or containing the speci-fied part name

4. Check the Apply box to automaticallyapply the rule when a new analysis is cre-ated.

5. Click the Save button to save the rule.

6. Optional: Click the Apply Now toapply the rule to the current model.

7. Click the Exit button to close the dia-log or specify an additional rule by clicking

the New button and repeating the process.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 5

Step 4

Step 7

Step 1

Step 6

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To modify an existing rule:1. Select the desired rule from the Rule Name menu.

2. Make changes as necessary.

3. Click the Save button.Click Exit to close the dialog.

To copy an existing rule to a new rule:

1. Select the desired rule from the Rule Name menu.2. Click the Save As button.

3. Enter a name for the new rule.

Click Exit to close the Settings Rules dialog.

To delete a rule:

1. Select it from the Rule Name menu.2. Click the Delete button.

2.4.10 _Preferences_Results Units

Use this dialog to specify the default units of result scalars. In previous versions,

the units for any result scalar can be changed by right clicking on a scalar quantity,

selecting Units, and picking the desired unit system. Many companies have guide-lines dictating how results are communicated internally, so in some cases, it was

necessary to always manually change the unit for displayed result quantities.

This dialog allows default units to be defined.

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The dialog appears below:

The units for each quantity are listed in the adjacent combo menu.

The choice “Default” is the first item for every quantity, and is shown if no unit sys-

tem is selected. Quantities with the “Default” selection are displayed using thedefault units of the current units system.

The default units selected for a quantity will be applied to all related quantities aswell. For example, if the mm/h is selected as the default for velocity, then all veloc-

ity components as well as absolute velocity (and components) will be displayed inmm/h. Related quantities are shown in the table:

Velocity Velocity Magnitude

U-Velocity

V-Velocity

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2.4.11 _Analysis Notes

When conducting design studies, keeping accurate records about each analysis is

very important, especially when comparing results from a large number of models.Recording the specific conditions of an analysis, as well as any adjustments and

important findings, is key to repeatability and organization of a large project.

Every engineer has their own particular way of maintaining information about theiranalysis models. Some use spreadsheets, some use notebooks, and some use

W-Velocity

Absolute Velocity Magnitude

Absolute Velocity in X-dir

Absolute Velocity in Y-dir

Absolute Velocity in Z-dir

Pressure Static Pressure

Total Pressure

Absolute Static Pressure

Viscosity Viscosity

Effective ViscosityConductivity Conductivity

Effective Conductivity

Temperature Temperature

Total Temperature

Shear Stress Shear Stress

Wall Shear Stress

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scraps of paper. The CFdesign Notes file is a useful addition to the engineer’srecord-keeping tool-kit for, and is kept within the analysis file itself:

Located in File_Notes, the Notes text editor provides a convienent way of record-ing information about a particular analysis. The contents of the file are internal to

the analysis “cfd” file, so they can be easily accessed after the analysis is archived.An external copy of the file can be saved by clicking the Save button.

Modifications made to the text file outside of CFdesign will not be accessible in the

CFdesign interface. This option is provided to save a copy of the notes to allowquick access without having to open the “cfd” file.

2.4.12 _Print

A print utility has been added to the File menu to allow printing the image in theGraphics window to either a file or to a printer. The background color is automati-

cally set to white, and text is shown as black for visibility.

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To use this, click File_Print. The Print dialog will open:

There are several options that allow printer selection, printing to a file, and the

number of copies. Click the Preferences button for additional options controllingthe page layout, size, and printer options.

Click the Print button to send the job to the printer.

2.4.13 _Recent Analyses

The last five most recently opened analyses are listed. Click on one to open the file.

This improves the work-flow by allowing quick selection of an analysis that wasrecently opened.

2.4.14 _Recent Projects

The last five most recently opened projects are listed. Click on one to open the file.

This improves the work-flow by allowing quick selection of an analysis that wasrecently opened.

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2.4.15 _Exit

Closes the CFdesign User Interface. If the analysis is not running, it will be auto-matically saved. If an analysis is running, the Exit command shuts down only the

Interface--the analysis will continue to run.

2.5 Help

The CFdesign Help System has been overhauled to make it much easier to use and

to provide a comprehensive set of information directly and conveniently to the user.The complete documentation set has been integrated with the CFdesign product,and is accessed on a context-sensitive basis using the Help button on every dialog

in the Interface. The complete manual set is also accessible from the Help menuitem from the Main Menu.

All manuals are packaged in Adobe “pdf” format. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is

included with the CFdesign interface, and is opened when Help buttons or items inthe Help menu are selected. The manuals can also be viewed outside of CFdesign

using Acrobat Reader. Note that the documentation is fully indexed, and includes atable of contents. Acrobat Reader includes full search capability as well.

Most dialogs in the CFdesign User Interface contain a Help button. Pushing a Help

button opens the User’s Guide to the appropriate location to describe the relevantdialog or function.

2.5.1 _CFdesign Help Topics

Opens the User’s Guide in Acrobat Reader. The Guide is fully indexed, and includes

a table of contents. Links within the document connect sections and chapters where

appropriate.

2.5.2 _On-Line Tutorial

Opens the CFdesign Examples Guide. Presented in Acrobat Reader, the Guide hasbeen formatted so that it can easily be positioned adjacent to the CFdesign inter-

face while working through the examples. This is a convenient resource for learninghow to operate CFdesign.

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2.5.3 _Technical ReferenceOpens the CFdesign Technical Reference. This manual contains the suite of Verifica-tion analyses as well as a detailed description of the theoretical foundation of CFde-

sign.

2.5.4 _Release Notes

Opens the Release Notes which contains detailed descriptions of new functionality

in the current version.

2.5.5 _Check for Updates

Connects to the Download site of the User Portal. This area contains the currentand all previous releases of CFdesign v9. This is a great place to check for the latestbuild as updates are released.

A user account is required to access the User Portal. If you do not have an account,please follow the instructions on the User Portal dialog.

2.5.6 _Knowledge Base

Connects to the on-line CFdesign Knowledge Base and User Portal. This highly use-

ful resource contains up-to-date, topical information about using CFdesign as wellas the current bug list.

2.5.7 _About

Shows the build number of the current installation. You may be asked for this by a

CFdesign Technical Support Engineer.

2.5.8 _Licensing

This item brings up a dialog that shows the current license status. This is a very

useful tool for troubleshooting license problems. The dialog indicates which license

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server the software is looking to for a license. It also indicates the number of Inter-face and Solver licenses available.

The Preferences button brings up a dialog that allows selection of a specific func-

tionality level if the floating (network) license contains a combination of differentfunctional levels.

To provide a high level of flexibility in licensing for larger installations with network

licenses, CFdesign includes the ability to check out a specific funtionality tier from amixed pool of licenses.

For example, if a corporate site-license includes four Advanced licenses and oneMotion license, this function allows the user to select a Motion license only when theMotion functionality is required. For analyses that do not include solid-body motion,

the user would select an Advanced license. This would leave the Motion licensesavailable for other engineers that do need the Motion capability.

For a heterogeneous CFdesign license (a license that contains seats with different

funtionality levels), the License Preferences dialog will pop up automatically whenCFdesign is started:

This dialog lists the licenses that are available, and prompts the user to selectwhich type of license they will use. If, for example, Advanced is selected, then the

Motion functionality will be unavailable in the CFdesign interface. If Motion isselected, the Motion license is checked out, and the Motion functionality will be

available. (Note that Motion includes the advanced functionality set as well.)

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By default, this dialog will appear every time CFdesign is started. Uncheck thecheck box to make the setting permanent (and to prevent the dialog from display-

ing every time). To change the setting simply click Help_Licensing_Preferences.

For node-locked licenses and homogeneous network license (meaning that all ofthe seats are at the same functionality level) the License Preferences dialog does

not appear. No input is required for such a license installation.

2.6 Navigation

There are four mouse navigation modes. The default is mode 1:

Navigation Mode 1 Navigation Mode 2

Ctrl + Left Mouse Button = zoom Left Mouse Button = zoom

Ctrl + Middle Mouse Button = rotate Middle Mouse Button = rotate

Ctrl + Right Mouse Button= pan Right Mouse Button = pan

Scroll Wheel = zoom Scroll Wheel = zoom

Left Mouse Button = select/deselect

(when in a command)

Cntl + Left Mouse Button = select/

deselect (when in a command)

Right Mouse Button = Blank entity Cntl + Right Mouse Button = Blank

entity

Middle Mouse Button = Unblank Cntl + Middle Mouse Button =

Unblank

Shift = cutting plane probe in Results Shift = cutting plane probe in Results

Shift + Control = surface probe inResults


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2.6.1 Mouse Scroll Wheel Zoom

The mouse scroll wheel now acts as a zoom function. Scroll away to zoom out,scroll toward the user to zoom in.

This new feature in CFdesign simplifies user/mouse interaction as well as improves

consistency with many CAD tools.

Navigation Mode 3 (Wildfire) Navigation Mode 4 (Solid Works)

Ctrl + Middle Mouse Button = zoom Shift + Middle Mouse Button = zoom

Middle Mouse Button = rotate Middle Mouse Button = rotate

Shift + Middle Mouse Button = pan Ctrl + Middle Mouse Button = panScroll Wheel = zoom Scroll Wheel = zoom


(when in a command)


(when in a command)

Right Mouse Button = Blank entity Right Mouse Button = Blank entity

Ctrl + Right Mouse Button = Unblank Ctrl + Right Mouse Button = Unblank

Shift = cutting plane probe in Results Shift = cutting plane probe in Results



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2.7 Entity Selection

The selection mode (on the Loads and Mesh dialogs) controls which type of entity is

selectable: volume, surface, or edge.

The Selection Mode can be changed on the Loads and Mesh dialogs, but on Mate-rials, it is set to only Volumes or Surfaces (3D or 2D models, respectively).

The Selection Basis allows for associative selection and the selection of groups.

Associativity is based on geometry, and provides a quick way to select multipleentities that are related to the Selection Basis type (surfaces owned by a volume,

for example). Entities of the type shown in the Selection Basis menu will highlightas the mouse is moved over them. When picked, all of the items of the current

selection mode that are associated with the picked item will be selected. Groups willbe discussed later in this chapter.

The Selection Basis modes for each selectable entity are:

Entity Selection Basis

Volume Direct -- Volumes are highlighted and are selected

By Material -- All volumes that have the same material

are highlighted and selected together.

Surface Direct -- Surfaces are highlighted and are selected

By Volume -- Volumes are highlighted, and all surfacestouching a picked volume are selected.

Edge Direct -- Edges are highlighted and are selected

By Surface -- Surfaces are highlighted, and all edgestouching a picked surface are selected.

By Volume -- Volumes are highlighted, and all edges

touching a picked volume are selected.

Selection Mode

Selection Basis

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The four buttons adjacent to the Selection Basis drop menu simplify selection anddeselection of multiple entities:

When the mouse hovers over an entity, it turns green. When an entity is selected,it turns red. When the mouse hovers over an already selected entity, it turns yel-low.

To deselect an entity, simply click on it again, or highlight it in the Selection List

and hit the Deselect button.

To be selectable, an entity must not be occluded by another entity. If there is anentity blocking the line of sight to the desired entity, use the right mouse button to

blank its display (see the next section).

When an item is selected, its label is shown in the Selection List. Multiple selected

items can be highlighted in the list using the Windows “standard” selection meth-

ods--hold down the control key while clicking on items to select multiple items;hold down the shift key while clicking on items to select a range.

Select All entities

Deselect highlighted Deselect All selected entities

Select Previously selected entities

(in the Selection List) entity

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2.8 Entity Visibility

2.8.1 Blanking

An entity can be blanked by right clicking the mouse on it. Only entities of the type

in the current selection mode will be blanked. To redisplay all blanked entities, rightclick the mouse somewhere off of the model. Shown is a model with some surfacesblanked. Note how the surface underneath is now visible, and therefore pickable.

Blanking entities is very useful when applying boundary conditions and mesh sizesto allow easy access to objects in the background.

2.8.2 Blanking Undo

Clicking the middle mouse button in Mouse Mode 1 (which is also the scroll wheelon some mouse devices) will undo blanking commands in the opposite order thatthey were issued. Use the Ctrl+Middle mouse button in Mode 2. In Mouse Modes 3

and 4, undo blanking with the Ctrl+Right mouse button.

This action will also undo the redisplay of all hidden entities. If the user had blanked

several parts in an effort to gain access to an internal part, but accidently redis-plays the entire assembly, they now can simply hit the middle mouse button, andundo the redisplay command.

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2.9 Feature Tree

The Feature Tree has several functions that assist in setting up and running a CFde-

sign analysis. Some of the branches allow certain analysis settings to be made.

Other branches list existing settings, and allow them to be modified easily. Most ofthe branches will be described with their relative chapters (the Boundary Conditionsand Initial Conditions branches will be discussed in the Loads chapter, for exam-

ple). This section describes the branches that are specific to the Feature Tree, andare not associated with a Dialog Task.

2.9.1 Units

When an analysis is created, the default units system will be meters (unless the

default was changed using File_Preferences).

For Pro/Engineer and CATIA v5 geometries, changing the units system only

changes the analysis length unit--it DOES NOT convert any dimensions in themodel.

For geometries originating in other CAD systems that are Parasolid or Acis based,

the Units branch works slightly differently. Because most CAD systems outputgeometry in meters (converted from the working units system), CFdesign will set

the analysis units to meters, when it reads in the geometry file. Unless the geome-try was originally built in meters, the model will have different dimensions in CFde-sign than in the CAD system. To convert the units system, simply select (left

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click on) the desired units system from the Length Units branch of the Fea-

ture Tree.

To make this process easier, it is recommended that you set the default units

system in File_Preferences to the working units system in your CAD sys-tem. When geometry is read into CFdesign for a new analysis, the analysis units

system will automatically be set, and the length dimensions of the model will be thesame as in the CAD system (they will be automatically converted from meters to

the default units system during the import).

When reading in a geometry file and the dimensions are correct but the unit

system is not, change just the units system (without changing any model dimen-sions) by right clicking on the desired unit system, and selecting Change LengthUnit Only. This is applicable if the CAD system does not convert the units to

meters when exporting geometry. Autodesk Inventor behaves this way.

2.9.2 Coordinate Systems

For three dimensional analyses, Cartesian (XYZ) is the only available coordinatesystem.

For two dimensional analyses, the choices are Cartesian and Axisymmetric aboutthe X and Axisymmetric about the Y.

A two dimensional Cartesian geometry is always assumed to have a unit depth.

An axisymmetric geometry is a three dimensional geometry that is uniform in the

tangential direction. Because of this uniformity, a single slice through the geometrycan be simulated as a two dimensional model. The nice thing about axisymmetric

modelling is that a two dimensional analysis can give correct results for a threedimensional model. An example of axisymmetric geometry is a straight pipe.

It is recommended that axisymmetric geometries be constructed in the first quad-rant. Geometries that are axisymmetric about the x-axis cannot cross the x-axisbecause the x-axis is the center-line. Likewise, geometries that are axisymmetric

about the y-axis cannot cross the y-axis. A unit radian depth is always assumed foraxisymmetric geometries.

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2.9.3 Parts

Every part in the CAD model will be listed as a branch in the Parts section. The mainfunction of this branch is to set individual part view parameters and to allow selec-

tion of parts.

Left click on a part to highlight its display.

Right click on a part to bring up a menu with the following items: Select, Outline,

Transparent, and Add to Group.

Select a part from the Parts or Materials branch of the feature tree by right clickingon its entity label and picking Select from the menu. Use the Windows standard

(shift or ctrl keys) to select multiple parts.

In Analyze (during the run), Review, and Results modes, the Parts branch is not

displayed in the Feature Tree. Individual part display attributes are set using theMaterials branch.

2.9.4 Naming Entities with Assigned Conditions

Geometric entities with assigned conditions can be renamed in the Feature Tree.This feature is applicable to surfaces and edges for 3d models and edges for 2d

models that have boundary conditions, initial conditions, or mesh sizes. (Note thatpart names cannot be changed within the CFdesign interface.)

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To change the name of an entity, right click on the current name in the feature

tree, and select Change Name. Enter the new name in the dialog that appears,and hit OK. The entity will be renamed in the feature tree, and the name will persistin other branches of the tree if other settings are applied to the entity.

2.10 Groups

2.10.1 Introduction

Geometric entities such as volumes, surfaces, or edges can be grouped based on

part name, material, common mesh size or boundary condition. Groups of entitiescan then be selected with a button click to add additional settings. Groups of sur-faces can also be selected for assessing wall results (post processing).

A Group is a homogeneous collection of entities: volumes, surfaces, or edges. A

group cannot contain a combination of entities (such as a mixture of volumes andsurfaces, for example).

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2.10.2 Creating Groups

Create a group by right clicking on the

main Group branch in the feature tree,and select “Create Group”

A dialog will come up prompting for a

group name. To group geometric enti-

ties (parts, surfaces, edges), selectGeometric as the Type.

To group parts by Motion (for linkedmotion), select Motion as the type.

(This is described in the Motion chapterof this manual.)

Groups can be created on the fly ifdesired. This can occur when entitiesare added to groups, and will be

described in the next section.

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2.10.3 Adding Entities (and Creating Groups on the Fly)

2.10.3.1 Adding Parts from the Feature Tree

2.10.3.2 Adding Parts by Name

1. Parts can be added to groups byright clicking on part ids listed in the

Parts branch of the feature tree.

(Note that multiple selection of entitiesin the tree using shift key-Windowsstandard multiple picking is supported.)

2. After selecting the desired parts,right click, and select “Add to Group.”

3. A menu will come up listing avail-

able groups. Select the desired groupfrom the list.

4. To create a group on the fly, select “Create Group.” The Create Group dia-log will prompt for a name. After enter-

ing the name, the selected parts areadded to the group.

1. Parts can also be added to an exist-ing group by right clicking on a group

name, and selecting Add by Name.

2. Use a regular expression to type inpart of the name that is common to the

parts to be added to the group. (Be sureto check the Regular Expression box.)

For example, to add multiple parts withthe word “chip” in their name, enter

“*chip*”, and all parts that have the

word chip somewhere in their name willbe added to the group.

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2.10.3.3 Adding Entities with Applied Conditions

2.10.3.4 Adding Multiple Entities From The Selection List

Any volume, surface, or edge that hasan applied mesh size or boundary condi-tion can be added to a group:

1. Right click on an entity with anapplied condition in the feature tree, and

select “Add to Group”.

2. All entities with the same appliedsetting can be added to a group by right

clicking on an applied condition underan entity in the feature tree, and select

“Add by Value to Group.”

When applying loads, mesh sizes, or mate-

rials, the currently selected entities can beadded to a group by right clicking in the

Selection window, and selecting Add toGroup.

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2.10.4 Removing Entities from Groups

2.10.5 Deleting Groups

2.10.6 Displaying Grouped Entities

Right click on an entity (or entities) under

the Group branch, and select Delete. Thiswill remove the item(s) from the gr