Simcenter STAR-CCM+ enables engineers to enhance product development by simulating and optimizing designs under real-world conditions for fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics—all within a single platform. This approach minimizes the need for physical prototypes, speeds up innovation, and reduces costs.
Let us explore how you can utilize its capabilities to streamline your workflow.
Why STAR-CCM+?
STAR-CCM+ is a powerful choice for simulation due to its ability to handle diverse CAD models, streamline workflows, manage complex multi-physics simulations, and scale with cloud computing for handling large models efficiently.
- Flexible CAD import and integration: STAR-CCM+ offers robust import capabilities, allowing us to handle models from various CAD tools seamlessly. This flexibility is crucial as we often work with models from Inventor, SolidWorks, Revit, or even 2D sketches.
- Automated workflow: The automated workflow in STAR-CCM+ helps streamline project setup, baseline analysis, and design changes. This feature is essential for rapid turnaround times and efficient handling of diverse client requests.
- Multi-physics capabilities: Whether it is a simple flow analysis or complex multi-physics simulations involving combustion, STAR-CCM+ can handle it all. This versatility is critical given the wide range of industries we serve.
- Scalability with cloud computing: STAR-CCM+ efficiently manages large models, up to 50 million cells. For larger projects, we leverage cloud computing resources like AWS to enhance processing capabilities and speed up analysis.
Workflow and processes
To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your simulations, these tips on workflow and processes are crucial for optimizing CAD geometry handling, meshing, and utilizing advanced features in STAR-CCM+.
- CAD geometry handling: We often start with CAD geometry from clients, which can range from detailed models to basic sketches. Tools like NX help preprocess overly large models, which are then imported into STAR-CCM+.
- Utilizing the CAD client: The CAD client in STAR-CCM+ is a powerful feature that allows for direct interaction with geometry and mesh. It enables efficient geometry cleanup, parameterization, and integration of changes to ensure a smooth analysis process.
- Mesh pipeline setup: Creating a robust meshing pipeline is crucial. Key steps include:
- Imprinting operations: Essential for defining contact boundaries and avoiding meshing issues.
- Parameterization: Helps manage geometric and boundary conditions efficiently. Using global parameters allows for easy adjustments and automated updates.
- Geometry cleanup: Tools within STAR-CCM+ enable geometry cleanup to remove unnecessary features and ensure clean meshes. This process is vital for avoiding simulation errors and improving results accuracy.
- Automation and stages: The latest releases of STAR-CCM+ include features like automation nodes and stages. Automation nodes simplify parameter management, while stages facilitate running different physics models within a single simulation file, streamlining complex analyses.
Post-processing tips
To maximize the impact of your simulation results, consider these post-processing tips for improving visualization and presentation, making your data clearer and more engaging.
- Enhancing visualization:
- Font and line size: Increase font and line sizes for better readability in reports.
- Color maps: Use color maps with high contrast to better visualize temperature ranges and flow patterns.
- Scales and animations:
- Logarithmic scales: Useful for visualizing data with a wide range of values, especially in building flow simulations.
- Animations: Create engaging presentations for stakeholders, showcasing simulation results in a dynamic format.
Summary
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is a powerful multiphysics CFD software for CFD engineers. It allows intricate behavior simulation and exploration of products functioning in actual conditions.
Here are some of the core benefits:
- Main features: Flexible CAD integration, automated workflows, multi-physics analysis, scalability.
- Workflow tips: Efficient geometry handling, meshing techniques, and automation practices.
- Post-processing: Enhance clarity and impact of results for better client communication.
By Dr. Clay Hearn, PhD, PE.
Senior Application Engineer (STAR-CCM+) – Applied CAx,
Principal Mechanical Engineer – Predictive Engineering Inc.