Mentor Graphics recently released the latest version of its general-purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) FloEFD solution with updated features such as improved mesh handling, an enhanced transient solver, and an interface to Abaqus finite element analysis (FEA) software for stress analysis. The improved accuracy and productivity will benefit engineers and specialists in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets.

New capabilities minimize user time and effort spent on meshing; the FloEFD tool can automatically fill gaps of specified size to make the model watertight, eliminating the time and necessity to adjust the original geometry. The new equidistant refinement capability lets users build multilevel uniform meshes around the body or surface of the model with just a click. A mesh preview visualization tool also helps users achieve the desired mesh.

"The new improvements in the definition of the mesh settings are an enormous help especially for our external aerodynamics simulation cases. The ability to define layers of refinements, to setting a specific cell size as well as defining local regions based on basic geometric objects helps us save the time we used to spend on defining the correct mesh settings," Dr. Geraldo Olivares, senior research scientist and director, Crash Dynamics and Computational Mechanics Laboratory, National Institute for Aviation Research, Wichita State University, said in a statement. "Other enhancements such as mesh preview and the ability to analyze the mesh quality enable us to specify high-quality mesh settings even faster and more accurately."

The new FloEFD features an improved transient solver that allows for faster solution of transient applications as well as higher accuracy for pressure-dominated tasks such as calculating filling/evacuating of a tank or water hammer, thereby increasing range of realistic situations that can be modeled.

An electronic design automation (EDA) interface can help users avoid creating PCBs manually; users can import geometric EDA data including copper traces and vias. The interface supports the Mentor Graphics Xpedition (CC or CCE), IDF and OCB++ PCB design data formats.

The refractive index depending on wavelength and temperature offers higher accuracy of light and radiation analysis in case materials where complex spectral characteristics are utilized—e.g., in the automotive lighting industry.

To support multi-disciplinary analysis, the FloEFD tool can now export pressure and thermal loads to Abaqus for further stress analysis. The Calculation Manager displays all projects currently running and those in the queue, allowing users to see where their projects stand and to control all calculations running at the moment.

The FloEFD product is available as a stand-alone and/or a CAD-embedded tool supporting MCAD platforms including Creo, CATIA V5, and Siemens NX.