Synergy between CAD and CFD means 2 + 2 = 5!
The tight integration of CFD with CAD in the STAR-Works bundle offers a powerful combination of easy entry into "simple" flow simulation with unlimited
headroom to access the most advanced CFD when needed. Engineers who are familiar with CAD will find adding CFD to existing models easy and intuitive,
since boundary conditions and fluid properties, etc, are simply entered within the familiar SolidWorks GUI environment.
But here's the difference! Unlike other CFD tools previously released by major CAD companies, the story does not stop here! The full functionality of STAR-CD,
with automatic meshing, is there in the background and can be turned to when needed. So, with STAR-Works you can develop your models and your CFD
expertise at an ideal pace, secure in the knowledge that you can access unlimited CFD technology.
Here's how STAR-Works works:
The first step is familiar to anyone who has used a 3D CAD system. In STAR-Works, you build your model using the powerful parametric tools available in
SolidWorks. This model can be used later for all downstream functions such as prototyping and manufacturing.
Having built the model you simply click on a single button to create surface mesh. This can be left to the fully automatic default or you can have complete
control over the mesh size globally or locally.
Boundary conditions are applied direct to the model faces, then the volume mesh required for the CFD calculation is created automatically - again with a
simple click of a button. STAR-Works meshes are tetrahedral with the option of having near surface prismatic layers. The set-up is visualised in the
SolidWorks environment.
Appropriate physics and material properties are selected from a built-in database. The CFD calculation is then run either on a single processor or it can
take advantage of dual or quad processor machines. Finally, the results are post-processed in the STAR-Works easy to use integrated post-processing
environment. For advanced post-processing such as animation, particle tracking, data graphs and additional plotting options it will open STAR-CD’s own
visualisation tool, PROSTAR.
At this stage the main work has been done and the design space can be explored. Working within the SolidWorks configuration manager, you can test
different geometries or different flow conditions on the same model or as a combination of both.
With STAR-Works, flow solutions have never been simpler!
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