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| The Windows version of SC/Tetra can be controlled from an external program such as Visual Basic by using "Microsoft COM technology". From
software start-up to exit and for each command, "Microsoft COM technology" can be used to remotely initiate many computing tasks. This capability can improve
operating efficiency by automating processes, and creating custom user interfaces that are familiar to designers. |
| Example (Investigation of the optimum angle of an engine intake port) |
Microsoft COM technology is standardized macro technology. From a CFD design perspective, the use of
macro technology enables a user to make a change to the geometry in a CAD program and to automatically call SC/Tetra to make the corresponding change to the CFD input file and
generate a new solution. By using macros for the CAD program and for SC/Tetra, the user can perform this process repeatedly to compare the impact of several design changes on
component or system performance.
In the following example, the CAD program uses colors to specify each region where boundary conditions are applied. For the design study, separate design parameters are
used to specify valve angle and lift. Values for these parameters
are specified in an excel file, and the macro automatically creates the
geometry.
The geometry output from CAD is imported to the Cradle CAD translator (CADthru) to make it suitable for computation. Octant specification, creating the surface mesh, volume
mesh, and inserting prism layers can all be automatically executed according to preset macros.
The macro then automatically starts the solver for calculating the solution.
A macro can also be used to automatically start the
postprocessor after finishing the calculation. The
post-processor will automatically create vector and contour images.
The macro will then copy and paste the images into a word processor for analysis and/or reporting.
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Innovative CFD-ware for Product Design
