2020-
Engineering and
Software Solutions
for CFD and FEA
For GUIs and monitoring systems for OpenFOAM® and CalculiX,
please visit our CastNet-
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Filter projects
As an alternative to using multi-purpose software, specially adapted simulation codes can be used by the design engineer within his normal work flow. Especially the open source CFD toolbox OpenFOAM® allows to combine CFD solution technologies and to adapt these methods for the according needs. The result is an application-oriented, highly specialised and easy-to-handle solver supporting the development departments in their design process.
Given the design engineers individual way of working, a customised modelling and simulation environment can be fitted exactly to the users’ personal preferences. Existing hardware (PCs, work stations etc.) and software (Windows or Linux environments, CAD software etc.) can be used along, while the new modelling and simulation environment is integrated. This way established work flows remain intact and the introduction of the new technology generates little expenses.
The customised approach permits the adaptation of the modelling and simulation environment to the individual CFD skills of the design engineer. The range of available modelling features can be reduced or extended as required.
For industrial applications, the usage of graphical user interfaces that provides assistance and guidance to the user is necessary. The time span to set up the simulation can be reduced significantly and sources of errors can be eliminated.
You develop a range of products with similar flow conditions and you do not have a local CFD expert, but you would like to use simulation methods to optimise your products? You would like to have a reliable, stable and easy-to-handle solution without having to bear the typically high, annual licensing fees for commercial CFD solutions?
Our solution: We will run a CFD project to validate a modelling approach and solution setup for your application. Based on this, we will combine, deliver and support a complete CFD environment including pre-processor, solver and post-processor which are adapted to your applications and will meet your demands for further in-house studies.
You are already using CFD/ FEA but a particular problem (e.g. the easy and fast building of simulation models for geometry case studies) requires a suitable tool?
Our solution: We provide our tools, adapt them according to your demands and integrate them into your workflow.
You have decided to use OpenFOAM® for the modelling of CFD problems, e.g. to control the solution process or to develop models by yourself, but you are looking for a convenient modelling environment to prepare OpenFOAM® cases easily?
Our solution: We provide our modelling environment CastNet that allows setting up OpenFOAM® cases directly (including solver settings, boundary and initial conditions). If required, we will adapt our environment to enable your modelling requirements to fit your workflow and to support your CAD system.
You search for a simulation solution for a complex flow challenge, e.g. a fluid-structure interaction problem?
Our solution: We test our solution capabilities, build or adapt problem-solving models and integrate the solution into your CAE-environment. For very complex problems beyond the scope of common CFD usage, we offer access to a network of excellent and specialised research facilities that can assist in finding a solution.
Typical extension tasks
All-
for open source solver technology
DHCAE Tools supports the whole CFD/FEA workflow: software additions (CastNet), services, training courses, support and solver extensions.
OpenFOAM solver extensions: membrane FSI, filtration, plastics extrusion, and custom CFD development
Membrane FSI
Membrane motion solved directly inside the OpenFOAM CFD solver.
- Membrane elements embedded in OpenFOAM's rigid-body framework (RBM)
- Moving bodies combine rigid parts and elastic membrane regions
- Structural mechanics solved on the baffle infrastructure
- Full FSI as an outer loop around PIMPLE, with Aitken or IQN-ILS relaxation
- Transient and quasi-static
- Single-phase and VoF (incompressible + compressible); floating bodies with elastic membranes
Validated against the Hencky membrane and the Mok benchmark.
Filter
Macro-modelling for filter optimisation.
- Higher filter efficiency
- Better utilisation of the filter material
- Energetic process optimisation through lower pressure loss
- Euler–Lagrange approach: continuous flow and dispersed solid particles
- Particle reaction on the filter, e.g. continuous shift of flow into zones of lower resistance
- Macro-modelling for large arrangements (hundreds of bag filter elements)
Polymer extrusion
Simulation of polymer melts to optimise extrusion dies and processes.
- Efficient die design lowers pressure demand, raises production speed and extends time between die cleanings
- Higher product quality through minimised thermal and shear loads
- Optimised die design reduces commissioning effort
- Significantly lower die-production and operating costs
- Temperature-dependent viscosity models
- Viscous heating, heat convection and conduction
Alongside our OpenFOAM extension for atomisation and spray propagation, we develop tailor-
Software developments
In addition to the OpenFOAM® solver extensions, we cover the whole application spectrum with our software developments:
- We develop tools for efficient pre-
processing, e.g. for the automatic meshing of serial simulations. - We couple solvers and tools into tailored solutions for complex simulations.
- We create specific analysis tools, e.g. for data extraction from the results or the automated analysis of entire simulation series.