FORT WORTH, TX, Sep 17, 2019 – The latest release of Pointwise’s computational fluid dynamics (CFD) mesh generation software includes the ability to use regular hexahedra instead of unstructured tetrahedra in regions away from the geometry model. The software’s T-Rex (anisotropic tetrahedral extrusion) technique generates layers of hexahedra or prisms near the geometry model for boundary layer resolution. Use of regular hexahedra elsewhere in the mesh can improve the CFD flow solver’s rate of convergence and accuracy of the resulting solution. An added benefit is a potential reduction in overall cell count.
“Voxel mesh capabilities were originally implemented in Pointwise as part of research for the US Air Force related to overset grid assembly,” said Dr. John Steinbrenner, executive vice president. “We have extended voxels beyond their original intent into hex-core: an efficient, space-filling meshing technique that delivers a lot of attributes that should benefit flow solvers.”
Jeremy Shipman from CRAFT Tech was an early beta tester of Pointwise’s new hex-core capability and computed a solution for NASA’s Common Research Model using their CRUNCH flow solver. “The ability to couple a voxel farfield topology automatically with a near-body T-Rex mesh offers the user a robust and flexible new approach for generating efficient hexahedral cell topologies within complex unstructured meshes,” said Shipman. “The fact that this feature works with the standard methods for controlling resolution such as sources and decay parameters makes this a powerful new feature.”
Pointwise version 18.3 also includes several new features that further automate surface mesh generation, the ability for users to define their own keyboard shortcuts, the ability to use point clouds for mesh adaptation, and more.
Pointwise v18.3 can be downloaded from www.pointwise.com/downloads.
About CRAFT Tech
CRAFT Tech’s specialty is the high-fidelity computational simulation of complex fluid dynamic and combustive problems on large-scale, parallel architecture computers. Technology sectors supported by CRAFT Tech include missiles, aircraft/rotorcraft, propulsion/turbomachinery, weapon systems and effects, and industrial problems. They also perform fundamental research in CFD, grid adaptation, aeroacoustics, turbulence, combustion, and multi-phase flow.
For more information, visit crunch.craft-tech.com.
About Pointwise, Inc.
Pointwise, Inc. is solving the top problem facing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) today – reliably generating high-fidelity meshes. The company’s Pointwise software generates structured, unstructured, overset and hybrid meshes; interfaces with CFD solvers such as ANSYS FLUENT, STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, and SU2 as well as many neutral formats, such as CGNS; runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac, and has a scripting language, Glyph, that can automate CFD meshing. Manufacturing firms and research organizations worldwide have relied on Pointwise as their complete CFD preprocessing solution since 1994.
