V3.15's enhancements relative to V 3.10 lie in the areas of solver robustness and efficiency, additional modelling capabilities and enhanced pre- and post-processing options.

STAR-CD is applied to ever more complex industrial problems and is playing an increasingly important role in industrial design and development decisions. Therefore, the reliability and robustness of the software are of prime importance to our users as they try to improve the speed and efficiency of their analysis and design processes. In response to their needs, we have made a major effort in the last six months to increase solver robustness and reliability, especially when dealing with highly deformed cells such as those with small internal angles, large aspect ratios and nearly co-planar faces. The resulting improvement is most evident in tetrahedral mesh analyses. This has been confirmed by our test program, run with over 50 industrial CFD cases and additional in-house cases.

Pre-processing, especially mesh building, is often the most time consuming part of the CFD analysis of a complex geometry problem. To reduce the time required for this process, we are offering a new, separately-licensed package called pro*am which offers all capabilities currently in PROSTAR, plus automated meshing, with tetrahedral and unique trimmed cell options.

In addition, a number of other application-specific tools (EZAero for aerodynamics, EZUnderhood for vehicle underhood analyses) are to be made available as plug-ins to the basic meshing facilities. The automated meshing tools, as well as the application-specific tools are each available under additional licenses. Other improvements specific to PROSTAR include interfaces to a wider variety of external CAD/CAE packages and file formats, such as CGNS, TGRID™ and TECPLOT™.

In V3.15 we are also offering, on a beta basis, a number of new modelling options that are of special interest to our clients. These include aeroacoustic analysis and new turbulence modelling capabilities. As in previous releases, this version contains bug fixes for all confirmed problems reported to date.

For details regarding applications outlined in this press release please contact the CD adapco Group or for more information on STAR-CD's CFD capabilities, browse our website at www.cd.co.uk

(1). Thank you very much for the information. (2). I have just visited your website. And the first item in the Latest News is "STAR-CD helps the Volkswagan Beetle Keeps Cool". (2). The VW Beetle has been designed to use air-cooled engine and it is known to have over-heating problem. In stead of using CFD to solve their problem, it is easier to get help from other divisions or car makers. (3). The new version of VW Beetle looks bigger than the old one, and I think,they are probably not using the same old air-cooled engine. As long as it is used in the cool weather areas and does not pull a trail, then it should be O.K. (4). My friend used to have a VW Beetle, and it was really hard to sit in the back seat. So, I think, it was designed and optimized for a family with a kid. (5). Anyway, it would be difficult to make transition from the air-cooled motor cycle type engine to modern water cooled engine. My suggestion is: don't drive a VW Beetle in the California-Arizona desert.

John,

The "new" beetle has been available in your part of the world for at least three years now. It is based on a front mounted water-cooled engine on a platform similar (if not identical to) the Polo or Golf (I dont'recall which). Have a closer look at the article and the utility of using CFD analysis may become somewhat more clear to you.

Calvin