[Far]

Which software do you recommend for creating turbomachinery cad model?

1. I have two recommendeations

a. Catia (But I am told it is complicate software)

b. rhino3d and rhino3d with t-splines

2. They also told me that catia is feature based modeler and rhino is spline based modeller. I dont know what does it mean. Can any body explain whats differce between feature based and spline based modeller?

3. I am also told that Pro-E (creoelements) is the worst choice.

4. What about solid works and solid edge ?

5. Any idea about space-claim?

6. What are your views about ansys designmodeler and its limitations ?

[JBeilke]

Have a look at ThinkDesign.

It can deal with solids, open solids and surfaces. You can also "parametrize" pure surface models with "Global Shape Modeling" (GSM), which is a real killer feature. ... and it is very easy and intuitive to use.

[Aeronautics El. K.]

Hello!!!

Well, I haven't worked with rhino3d but I have worked with Catia for quite some time...
If you choose Catia you have to spend some time to learn how to use it but it's a fantastic software. Think of anything you want to design, no matter how complicated it might be, and you can design it easily in Catia! It's capabilities are innumerable...

[streamdiver6969]

Hey Guys,


i think it is pretty difficult to generate Turbomachinery with 3d-freeform surface within a CAD-Modeler like SolidWorks, AutoCad etc. Especially if the machines you design differ from each other. I heard that CATIA is very powerful with complex geometry, but didnt saw any good example. Its possible, but IMO not really straight forward.


My personal Chart:


1. BladeGen

Integrated in Ansys Workbench, pain in the ass at the beginning, but suuuper powerfull when you know what to do. You need a meridional cut and the blade angles as a input. This is great for ALL types of machines. Fans, Blower, Compressors, radial Pumprunners, Hydroturbines etc.



2. CFTurbo
Not only a geometry modeling software, but also a design software. Also really powerfull for a lot of turbomachinery applications.



3. Cases
A parametric geometry modling software for optimization during CFD and FEA analyses. Its more like CATIA or SolidWorks


But no OpenSource software so far, at least that i know.


I hope i could help.

[gulshan212]

Well, I can give my opinion on your first question and I will recommend to use Rhino3D as compare to CATIA as CATIA is costly.
Thanks