Simulation ?

[buckeye88]

I have been working on a product design for the past few years in my free time and have put alot of time and effort into it. My background is Architectural but enjoy product design as a hobby. I typically use a program that I am fluent in called Rhino for 3D modeling. This has allowed me to develop my product. I have reached the conclusion after testing a few prototypes that it is necessary for me to simulate the product in the computer for best test results.

The product is new an innovative fishing lure. What I envision is software that allows you to assign properties such as rubber, lead, steel, etc to a 3 dimensional model of a fishing lure. Then test that model with water flowing through the fishing lure. This will allow me to see its performance before I prototype it and manufacture it. After doing some research I think that Solidworks or Pro Engineering may be able to pull this off. Is this Assumptions correct? Can you please suggest a sofware that would allow me to do these test. Any suggestions would be greatly appericated.

Thanks

 

[EngAddict]

You would need the CFD packages with the full turbulent solvers, depending on the program. These are expensive packages, are you planning on outsourcing or doing it yourself? Even the man hours will cost you a lot if you outsource it. Probably not what you had in mind for a hobby?

What about building a test rig instead? Create a flow past the lure, and record with camera. You can include additives to the water to make it easier to see.

 

[GregLocock]

There is a free alternative called Open FOAM. It is a fully functional CFD package. I imagine it would only take a couple of years to learn.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[EngAddict]

Greg, does Open FOAM only work on Linux?

 

[GregLocock]

Yup, Ubuntu seemed OK.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?