CFD for small business
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
At Raycore we design and manufacture heavy-duty LED work lights for the construction and mining industry. The lights are designed to be bright and robust. When we started using SimScale it was in an effort to validate current thermal designs and to hone in on the most efficient solution. With SimScale I was able to validate empirical data and then apply those models to other products. We were able to improve the thermal efficiency of the light housing and reduce weight.
Pros
- User interface is intuitive and straightforward.
- It is easy to copy design scenarios and iterate through different design approaches.
- SimScale was fantastic at providing support throughout the design process. At one point they even ran a couple of simulations for me to verify the proper setup before running a series of large runs.
- They make it affordable to get access to high-end analysis software via subscription that would otherwise be out of reach for a small company.
Cons
- In certain scenarios, setup information can be dropped from the models. They were working to improve the workflow and once you know the setup routine it was not a big deal but could cause confusion for new users.
Most Important Features
- Subscription service.
- Cloud based computing.
Return on Investment
- I was able to reduce material required on two different products while improving thermal transfer.
- I was able to digitally prototype a new product without the expense of physical prototyping several physical models.
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk CFD
Other Software Used
Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk Vault
