Computational Fluid Dynamics: Smarter Engineering, Better Products
From cooling electronics to designing next-generation aircraft, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) enables engineers to predict performance before investing in costly prototypes.
CFD goes beyond simply modeling fluid flow. It also simulates heat transfer, mass transfer, chemical reactions, and complex fluid–structure interactions, delivering insights that physical testing alone often cannot provide.
What CFD Can Do
With CFD, engineers can:
📉 Calculate pressure drops and thermal effects in ducts, housings, and valves
✈️ Predict aerodynamic lift and drag across subsonic to supersonic regimes
🚁 Estimate rotor thrust in aerospace applications
🌬️ Optimize airflow for ventilation and climate control
🔥 Ensure reliable cooling of high-power electronics and machinery
⚙️ Analyze forces on equipment through fluid–solid interactions
🏙️ Visualize airflow and wind loads around buildings and cityscapes
⚗️ Improve efficiency in mixing, combustion, and chemical processes
And this represents only a portion of its capabilities.
Why CFD Matters
CFD reduces reliance on prototypes and testing, cutting development costs and accelerating schedules. It helps design teams decide:
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Which validation tests are most critical
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How many test cycles are required
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Where failures are most likely to occur
It also enables rapid “what-if” studies, making optimization faster, product performance more reliable, and results more consistent.
Our Tools: ANSYS CFD
We use ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS CFX — globally trusted solvers recognized for:
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Accuracy across a wide range of flow regimes
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Speed in delivering results
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Reliability proven in demanding industrial applications
Backed by decades of R&D, these tools also include specialized modules tailored to industries such as:
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Turbomachinery – custom meshing and models for rotating equipment
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Electronics cooling – advanced solvers for thermal management
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Aerospace & Automotive – propulsion, aerodynamics, and flow control
Productivity and Performance
By combining these tools with engineering expertise, we can:
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Automate design studies without custom programming
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Identify the most sensitive design parameters
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Integrate optimization and Six Sigma methods directly into simulations
This approach shortens design cycles, lowers costs, and improves product reliability.
The Bottom Line
CFD is now a core part of modern engineering design. Whether it’s improving airflow in a room, optimizing turbine efficiency, or ensuring electronics stay cool at altitude, CFD provides insights and confidence that traditional testing cannot.
By moving from test-driven to simulation-driven product development, companies gain a competitive edge — with faster innovation, reduced risk, and higher-performing products.
Norman Neher
Analytical Engineering Services, inc
Elko New Market, MN
www.aesmn.org