STAR-CCM+ simulates complex fluid flow around an object. (Image courtesy of Siemens PLM Software.)
Traditional CFD simulators that provide numerical results are technically accurate, but the results are less intuitive and can be difficult to interpret and convey, especially for a less technical audience.
Graphical representations of the results are intuitively more understandable, but the computation required to graphically simulate complex fluid flows has limited accuracy and performance, which in turn limits the resolution and photo-realism in available simulation tools.
Engineers can overcome these limitations and evaluate photo-realistic visual simulation results with the latest release of Siemens’ STAR-CCM+ software. New analysis tools improve accuracy and help engineers better evaluate the complex fluid flow in their designs.
In addition, enhanced photo-realistic visual displays can help engineers communicate the simulation results to management and others within organizations who may not have extensive experience interpreting tabular simulation results.
“STAR-CCM+ version 12.02 is exclusively focused on making engineers more effective and enabling them to more quickly discover better designs, faster using predictive engineering technology,” said Jean-Claude Ercolanelli, senior VP of Product Management at Siemens PLM Software. “These same engineers are also increasingly called upon to communicate their results across their organizations, to people who have little direct exposure to interpreting simulation results. Such a new functionality in STAR-CCM+ greatly facilitates this communication using Digital Twin simulation models that not only behave like their real-world counterparts, but also present a precise visual representation, promoting understanding and inspiring confidence.”
Engineers can better analyze and visualize simulation results with the new capabilities and features incorporated into STAR-CCM+ version 12.02:
- Adaptive gridding—Combustion table points are adaptively selected to concentrate grid points in critical regions while spreading grid points in less critical regions. This adaptive allocation of grid points significantly improves accuracy for the same total number of points, while computational performance improvements allow this version of the software to perform the simulation approximately four times faster than the previous version.
- Ray tracing—Shadows and reflected light are more accurately represented using ray tracing technics to produce a photo-realistic image. Engineers can better visualize results in the context of the component or system while maintaining the accuracy of the simulation results. The resulting photo-realistic display is more understandable to those who are less familiar with interpreting simulation results, providing a means to communicate and share the product design.
- Automated setup and analysis—Automated processes help engineers design and set up simulation experiments and guide the selection of parameters, analysis methods and optimization.
- Direct links to other tools—Bidirectional links the product lifecycle management (PLM) software enables geometry transfer and modification.
Learn more about the new capabilities of STAR-CCM+ read: Complex Chemical Simulations and 2D Fluid Film Tension Expected in STAR-CCM+ Version 11.