Best CFD Software 2023 : Compare, Reviews & Pricing | TEC

Purchasing the best CFD software is something that requires somewhat of an engineering approach, just like purchasing an erp system.which means getting into a problem-solving mindset. As previously mentioned, the current trend of CFD software development is heavily focused on simulations, but this may not necessarily solve specific problems. Data accuracy is a must, particularly in situations related to clean room design, sensor manufacturing, automotive brake technology development, and more. Additionally, there are other purchasing factors to consider such as team collaboration, CAD integrations and ease of modeling.

Common CFD Software Features to Look For

Choosing a specific CFD solution to solve a problem shouldn’t be an issue. Engineers create models that are meant to be turned into representations and prototypes (which are subject to analysis). This process is almost pathological because it is centered on reliability. Proactive engineering takes advantage of CFD software by providing optimization from the start. Since most engineering projects start with CAD models, this is probably a good start in the CFD software selection process.

Open-source CFD software used for teaching doesn’t typically offer CAD integration. They have simple tools to design 3D models, often derived from templates such as ball valves (which can be subject to various parameters before a simulation is displayed). The prevalence of CAD apps in the engineering world has prompted some CFD software developers to come up with solutions that can be embedded within popular CAD software but these tend to be limited.

Companies searching for CFD solutions should take into account whether their engineers are willing to recreate their models into the native geometric design used by the CFD solution. CAD-driven CFD software offers advanced features that import all engineering data in the original file. Additionally, the CFD interface should be as similar as possible to the CAD application that have become standard for engineers.

Running certain simulations (particularly those that are required by compliance to be conducted in real-time) can be successfully accomplished in the cloud. Ideal CFD solutions provides instant notifications when simulations are completed and delivered to mobile devices.

Data structuring, organization, and display are other crucial aspects of CFD software, which will consistently generate large amounts of data sets that are not commonly available in the physical testing process. The way these data sets are displayed and the manner in which they flow is something that can either make a project more efficient or not. When data is reported back to engineering teams, effectiveness is determined by the intelligence coded into the CFD software application.

Top CFD Software Features to Look For

Ideally, these smart features include automated analysis and recommendations such as:

• Mesh Systems: CFD simulation software is highly geometric, particularly with regard to aerodynamics. A mesh system is broken down into various elements. For example, in the case of drone aircraft design, the most advanced CFD solutions automate the breakdown process so that engineers do not have go back to the CAD drawing board. The finite element method (FEM) offers the highest level of mesh system automation, freeing up valuable engineering time. Automatic refinement of mesh systems are also available in some CFD solutions that provides more realistic scenarios.
• Flow Volume: When engineers are tasked with manual input of flow regions in the CFD simulation models, they can be expected to spend considerable time doing so. A more effective solution is to trust CFD software with extracting this data by means of Boolean logic.
• CFD Solvers: Unless engineers have advanced physics and math degrees, they will hit a road block while selecting the various solvers available for simulations. Instead of forcing engineers to review research so that they can understand what the solvers are trying to tell them, the right CFD package will intuitively assign specific solvers instead of applying all of them.
• Solutions: Every CFD problem will have multiple solutions based on factors, parameters, and iterations. These solutions can be narrowed down based on scope (which in the past has caused significant delays for NASA space programs). The smarter CFD solutions automate the scope narrowing process based on simple inputs provided by users.

Choosing the Right CFD Software

When you get into non-linear analysis of projects that include human safety, you will want to consider CFD solutions that provide you with various scenarios to formulate decisions. Designing a soft rubber product that is intended to come under pressure is not the same as manufacturing a metal crushing press that requires a minimum safe clearing distance kept by human operators.

Needless to say, CFD software buyers should spend time evaluating reviews made by users who work in similar sectors. In the past, the minimum hardware requirements for CFD modeling software were quite extensive, but this has been alleviated by the advent of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that run in the cloud.

The complexity of some CFD software packages is reflected on their pricing. This is a major reason why prospective buyers should insist on a free trial or demo. Dedicated CFD software for Mac systems aren’t very common and may seem expensive.

Opting for a free trial is a must. Installed CFD software that runs simulations on local machines requires substantial processing power plus special configurations to generate complex mesh systems that older laptops with 32-bit processors may not be able to handle. Be sure to check out TEC’s CFD solutions for reviews and comparisons.