CFD simulation using XFlow to study the lubrication of a gearbox. (Image courtesy of Next Limit Dynamics.)
It was a surprise to learn early this year that Siemens snatched up CD-adapco, paying a cool billion. Siemens went on to pick up EDA vendor Mentor Graphics less than a year later for a jaw-dropping $4.5 billion, an acquisition that also added CFD technology.
After the dust settled on the Siemens' acquisitions, Dassault Systèmes must have felt itself relatively far behind in the CFD race -- and now faced less big-name acquisition targets.
Now it has found one. Dassault Systèmes lurched forward in the CFD/finite element analysis (FEA) race the acquisiton of Madrid-based CFD company Next Limit Dynamics and its Flowtechnology.
XFlow is a dynamic CFD simulation tool that targets the defense, transportation, high-tech, energy and aerospace industries. Analysts have used the software to assess highly dynamic fluid flows such as:
- Air flow around a car
- Noise from airplane landing gear
- Lubrication of drivetrains
By using XFlow to better understand the fluid dynamics of these systems, engineers can then optimize their designs to improve aerodynamics, reduce noise and improve efficiency.
“For nearly a decade, we’ve developed our Lattice Boltzmann simulation technology, XFlow, to extend the applicability of CFD across multiple industries for challenging applications,” said David Holman, general manager, Next Limit Dynamics. “Today’s products are becoming more sophisticated, making engineering problems increasingly complex. Our disruptive method avoids the highly time-consuming preparation tasks typically required by traditional CFD approaches. This frees engineers to focus more attention on design evaluation and optimization.”
The goal of the purchase is to fill in some of the CFD hole in Dassault Systèmes’ multiphysics offering within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. “Next Limit Dynamics is a young, dynamic company whose highly experienced research and development team and forward-looking CFD method, integrated in a multiphysics, multiscale 3DEXPERIENCE platform, are transformational to the innovation process,” explained Bernard Charlès, CEO of Dassault Systèmes.
Next Limit Dynamics had revenue of $1.69 million dollars (€1.6 million euros) in 2015, with some notable customers including Airbus, Caterpillar, Doosan, Ford, Google X, Honda, Mitsubishi, NASA and Toyota. The announcement doesn’t detail how much Dassault Systèmes paid for the company.
To learn about what CFD turbulence models are currently available to Dassault Systèmes customers, before this purchase, read the e-book Turbulence Models Offered by CFD Simulation Vendors.