STAR-CCM+ Releases New Results Interrogation Method

The Data Focus tool collects numerical data and mixes them with a visual simulation scene. (All images courtesy of CD-adapco.)

CD-adapco has released the first version of its flagship simulation software STAR-CCM+ since its recent acquisition by Siemens PLM Software.

The STAR-CCM+ 11.02 release focuses on productivity and usability improvements with the new Data Focus tool.

Data Focus allows engineers to target the data displayed in a visual representation of the results.

To do this, engineers assign a subset of the results to a data set called a brush. The data attached to a brush can be based on different parameters. For instance, you can set one brush to contain all the points in a flame over 1500 Kelvin and another brush to contain all the points in a flame over 1500 Kelvin that also have a mixture fraction above 0.5.

The brush can then display its subset of results separately or with the remaining simulation results displayed with muted color. This allows engineers to see the data they need without losing the bigger picture of the simulation. An example of this Data Focus is shown below.

Fire simulation displayed with the Data Focus tool. Image on the left is the full data set, second image to the left is all points of data above 1500 kelvin, second image from the right shows all data above 1500 Kelvin and mutes the color of the rest of the simulation results, image on the right shows all data above 1500 Kelvin with a mixture fraction over 0.5 while also muting the color of the rest of the simulation results.

“We are offering our customers an exclusive feature to explore their analysis results in an entirely new way,” said CD-adapco senior VP, Jean-Claude Ercolanelli. “Data Focus directly addresses the challenges engineers face when trying to understand large sets of interdependent data and complex 3D vector fields. Users will deepen the interpretation of their simulation results, and will have a stronger insight, which is needed to discover better designs.”

Local surface remeshing saves time in pre-processing and redesigns.

Another tool in STAR-CCM+ 11.02 that engineers might be using a lot provides local surface remeshing. I’m sure every simulation expert has dealt with that one part of their mesh that isn’t quite right yet. As meshing takes a significant amount of time for larger models, having one area giving you trouble can translate into a large amount of work.

However, with the local surface remeshing tool engineers can change mesh parameters or make design changes and only remesh the small area that changed.

Using cylindrical particles versus composite particles made for more accurate and faster DEM simulations.

Other improvements to STAR-CCM+ 11.02 include:

•    Cylindrical particles for faster and more accurate discrete element method (DEM) simulations of moving tablets and pellets
•    Co-extrusion computational rheology for multiple material streams
•    Hinged multibody motion simulations where fluids interact with multiple structures coupled by mechanical joints
•    Two-way Fluid-structure interactions (FSI) with rotating bodies
•    A new virtual product development (VPD) tool for mixers called Admixtus

“STAR-CCM+ v11.02 continues to emphasize our focus on Multidisciplinary Design eXploration (MDX),” said Ercolanelli. “Our primary objective is to equip our customers with the necessary tools to elevate their confidence in simulation results and help them make critical design decisions quickly and with certainty, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

Next week is STAR Global Conference in Prague. Do you have any questions about the new release of STAR-CCM+ you would like to see CD-adapco address? What should be in the 11.04 release? Do you have questions about their recent acquisition by Siemens PLM Software? Comment below.