For over 10 years, we have been combining project work and software development for numerical simulations. Examples of our work in the following areas can be found below:
Custom-made Calculation software
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InsightCAE – Examples
Tutorials
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Our Services
InsightCAE We implement automated calculation workflows according to your wishes and specifications. We can easily provide and maintain these as add-on modules for InsightCAE. Here are some examples of apps we have developed for our customers:
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InsightCAE – Documentation
The documentation is here: InsightCAE Manual. The sources of the LaTeX document can be found on Github: InsightCAE Manual (PDF). Installation The installation is described in the InsightCAE Manual in the section “Obtaining InsightCAE.”.
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InsightCAE – The Idea
To use open-source software productively and efficiently for daily tasks, the automation framework InsightCAE by silentdynamics is provided. InsightCAE serves as a framework for the automated execution of analysis procedures. The goal is to provide interfaces to all tools and simulation programs required for a specific calculation task. Our additional service: individual open-source projects.
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InsightCAE Case Builder for Thermal Simulations
Preparation and case setup for thermal simulation with open-source software such as OpenFOAM, Elmer, etc. Our software InsightCAE enables fast and automated pre- and post-processing for robust heat spread simulation. Installation of InsightCAE software including OpenFOAM on Windows and Linux machines, implementation of software add-ons, provision of computing resources (HPC), and support ensure fast and reliable
Maritime Hydrodynamics
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Virtual Towing Tank - Calculate Ship Resistance Digitally
Traditional towing tests in physical model basins are costly and time-consuming. Our virtual towing tank, based on InsightCAE and OpenFOAM, enables precise ship resistance simulations – faster, more cost-effective, and fully reproducible. And the best part: you don't have to deal with the simulation software yourself – we can perform the simulations entirely on your behalf if you wish. What is a virtual
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Behavior in the Open Sea: Methods, Tools, and Key Performance Indicators
Seakeeping analysis is a central element of ship design and forms the basis for evaluating the behavior of ships and floating structures in real sea conditions. It provides crucial information for safety assessment and operational planning. What is seakeeping analysis and why is it important? Seakeeping refers to the dynamic forces generated by wind, waves, and currents, to which
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High Speed Planing Craft
VOF Simulation of High-Speed Planing Craft: Challenges and Solutions Numerical fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of high-speed marine vessels—especially planing craft and planing yachts—poses significant challenges even for experienced engineering firms. The widely used Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method, in particular, exhibits specific numerical weaknesses at high Froude numbers and planing speeds, which can lead to unreliable or even unusable simulation results without targeted countermeasures. We have developed specialized methods
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Ship resistance
Ship Resistance Calculation with Open-Source CFD: The InsightCAE Framework Hydrodynamic optimization of ships is one of the central challenges in modern shipbuilding. Low ship resistance reduces fuel consumption, lowers CO₂ emissions, and improves the overall operational economy. At the same time, the precise calculation of ship resistance traditionally requires deep expert knowledge in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as well as costly commercial software licenses. With
Turbomachinery and Propellers
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CFD Analysis and Design of Turbomachinery with Open-Source Software
Turbomachinery – from centrifugal pumps and compressors to turbines and fans – is the backbone of modern industrial and energy facilities. Their design and optimization require a deep understanding of fluid mechanics and precise numerical tools. We combine both: sound engineering expertise with state-of-the-art CFD technology based on completely free software. Performance analysis and design of turbomachinery with CFD We perform fundamental
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Fluid-Structure Coupling for Composite Propellers: CFD with OpenFOAM and Code_Aster
Modern composite ship and flow propellers offer significant advantages over traditional metal propellers – lower weight, improved cavitation characteristics, and the possibility of passive pitch adjustment through targeted anisotropy. However, their flexibility presents particular challenges for design: the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic performance can only be correctly assessed if the structural deformation under operating load is included in the simulation.
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Cavitation Simulation in Turbomachinery: CFD Prediction with OpenFOAM
Cavitation is one of the most critical and costly phenomena in turbomachinery with fluid flow. It limits the operating range, reduces efficiency, causes noise and vibrations – and in the worst case, can lead to irreversible material damage within a short time. CFD-based cavitation simulation is currently the most reliable tool for effectively addressing this phenomenon as early as the design phase.
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Propulsion Analysis and Thrust Performance Prediction with Open-Source Software
After determining a propeller open water curve with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) or another calculation method, further analysis – in particular, a propulsion analysis – is required to reliably predict the propulsive power for a specific ship. We have developed specialized analysis software solutions that enable seamless integration into the ship design process, relying exclusively on open-source software. From the
Thermodynamics
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InsightCAE Case Builder for Thermal Simulations
Preparation and case setup for thermal simulation with open-source software such as OpenFOAM, Elmer, etc. Our software InsightCAE enables fast and automated pre- and post-processing for robust heat spread simulation. Installation of InsightCAE software including OpenFOAM on Windows and Linux machines, implementation of software add-ons, provision of computing resources (HPC), and support ensure fast and reliable
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Water bodies as energy reservoirs - heat pumps, cooling water, and thermal simulation
Natürliche Gewässer bieten enormes Potenzial als Energiereservoir für moderne Wärmpumpensysteme. Die gezielte Nutzung von Oberflächengewässern, Seen und Flüssen zur Wärmeentnahme und -einleitung eröffnet nachhaltige Alternativen zu konventionellen Heizlösungen – erfordert jedoch eine präzise hydraulische und thermische Planung, um ökologische und behördliche Anforderungen zu erfüllen. Einleitung von Kühlwasser einer Wärmepumpe ins Gewässer Bei Wärmepumpenanlagen, die Gewässerwasser
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CFD Simulation of Airbag Gas Generators – Compressible Flows and Shock Waves
Der Gasgenerator ist das sicherheitskritische Herzstück jedes Airbagsystems. Innerhalb weniger Millisekunden muss er eine definierte Gasmenge mit präzise kontrolliertem Druck und Temperatur bereitstellen – zuverlässig, reproduzierbar und unter extremen Bedingungen. Die dabei ablaufenden strömungsphysikalischen Vorgänge – Verdichtungsstöße, Expansionswellen, Wärmeübertragung und reales Gasverhalten – sind hochdynamisch und messtechnisch kaum vollständig erfassbar. Die numerische Strömungssimulation (CFD) ist
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CFD Simulation of Solar Collectors – Thermal Design and Flow Optimization
Die Effizienz eines Solarkollektors hängt von einer Vielzahl zusammenwirkender physikalischer Einflussgrößen ab – Sonneneinstrahlung, Außentemperatur, Windgeschwindigkeit, Kollektorgeometrie, Strömungsführung und Wärmeübertragung an das Trägermedium. Eine rein experimentelle Auslegung ist kosten- und zeitintensiv und liefert nur punktuelle Erkenntnisse. Die numerische Strömungs- und Wärmesimulation (CFD) ermöglicht dagegen eine vollständige, räumlich aufgelöste Analyse des thermischen und strömungsmechanischen Verhaltens –
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Building Climate Control – Simulation of Temperature Distribution and Air Circulation
Die numerische Simulation von Temperaturverteilung und Klimatisierung ermöglicht eine präzise, datenbasierte Planung von Räumen und Hallen – noch vor dem ersten Spatenstich oder dem nächsten Umbau. Mithilfe moderner CFD-Methoden (Computational Fluid Dynamics) lassen sich thermische Schwachstellen frühzeitig identifizieren und gezielt beheben. Was leistet die thermische Gebäudesimulation? Unsere Simulationslösungen decken das gesamte Spektrum der thermischen und
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Simulation of inductive heating – Elmer and OpenFOAM
Die induktive Erwärmung ist ein etabliertes und hocheffizientes Verfahren in der modernen Fertigungs- und Prozesstechnik. Ob Härten, Löten, Schrumpfen oder gezielte Wärmebehandlung – die berührungslose, schnelle und lokal präzise Wärmeeinbringung macht Induktionsheizung zum Verfahren der Wahl in zahlreichen Industriezweigen. Die zugrunde liegenden physikalischen Wechselwirkungen zwischen elektromagnetischem Feld, induziertem Strom und resultierender Wärmeverteilung sind jedoch komplex
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Coupled Heat Transfer – Conjugate Heat Transfer
In some simulation problems, not only heat transfer within the fluid itself is important, but also heat transfer in the adjacent solid. In such cases, a coupled simulation of heat propagation between the solid and the fluid (CHT – Conjugate Heat Transfer) must be performed. We are proficient in such simulations using our open-source tools, such as OpenFOAM. For rapid optimization of heating and cooling performance via
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Heat transfer
Stationary and transient 3D simulation of heat propagation in complex components made of different materials. Cooling and heating of components to determine critical heat flows, required cooling loads or e.g. avoidance of thermal stresses. Optimization of component geometries through automated geometry creation and simulation processes.
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Dispersion of gases in the environment
CFD Simulation of Gas Dispersion in Accident Scenarios - Safety Analysis for Light and Heavy Gases In industrial plants, chemical facilities, energy supply infrastructures, and safety-critical installations, the uncontrolled release of gases in accident scenarios poses a significant risk to people, the environment, and assets. The precise prediction of gas dispersion is therefore an essential component of modern safety analyses, risk assessments, and emergency planning. Simulation-based accident analysis with
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Cooling of electronic components
Thermal Simulation and Thermal Management in Electronics and Lighting Development In modern development processes, thermal management is a central challenge – especially with high-performance components such as electronic assemblies, power electronics, and LED light sources. Using 3D CFD simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEM-based thermal analysis (Finite Element Method), precise thermal analysis is performed for cooling various components, including electronics, light sources, and embedded systems. Heat transfer mechanisms
Hydrology
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See
Thermal Flow Simulation for Spatial Energy Planning with Seawater Lakes and other surface waters represent an enormous natural energy storage system that can be utilized both ecologically and economically efficiently. Through the use of seawater heat pumps, this stored thermal energy can be tapped for the heating and cooling supply of buildings, thus significantly contributing to the decarbonization of municipal
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Harbor basin
As part of an innovative energy concept, a harbor basin is being used as a natural heat source and sink for the cooling and heating operations of surrounding office buildings. Surface waters such as harbor basins, lakes, and rivers are ideally suited as a basis for water-based heat pump systems due to their thermal storage capacity and can achieve significant energy savings compared to conventional air conditioning systems. To assess the thermal impact on
Strength and Structure
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FEA Simulation of Adhesive Bonds – Precise Stress Analysis for Secure Joining Technology
Klebverbindungen spielen in modernen Konstruktionen eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle – von der Luft- und Raumfahrt über den Fahrzeugbau bis hin zu Windenergieanlagen und dem allgemeinen Maschinenbau. Im Gegensatz zu formschlüssigen Verbindungen wie Schrauben oder Nieten übertragen Klebeverbindungen Lasten flächig, reduzieren Kerbwirkungen und ermöglichen die Verbindung unterschiedlichster Werkstoffe. Umso wichtiger ist eine zuverlässige rechnerische Bewertung –
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FEM Simulation with Code_Aster – Over 10 Years of Experience in Structural Analysis
Code_Aster ist einer der leistungsfähigsten und zugleich anspruchsvollsten Open-Source-Finite-Elemente-Codes weltweit – entwickelt und kontinuierlich gepflegt vom französischen Energiekonzern EDF. Mit einem Funktionsumfang, der viele kommerzielle FEM-Programme übertrifft, eignet sich Code_Aster besonders für komplexe strukturmechanische, thermische und gekoppelte Analysen im industriellen und wissenschaftlichen Umfeld. Wir verfügen über mehr als 10 Jahre praktische Erfahrung im professionellen Einsatz
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Fluid-Structure Coupling for Composite Propellers: CFD with OpenFOAM and Code_Aster
Modern composite ship and flow propellers offer significant advantages over traditional metal propellers – lower weight, improved cavitation characteristics, and the possibility of passive pitch adjustment through targeted anisotropy. However, their flexibility presents particular challenges for design: the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic performance can only be correctly assessed if the structural deformation under operating load is included in the simulation.