Web-based CFD Vertical Applications Using Cloud Based HPC

Despite the growth in Simulation tools and methods over the past two decades, the ability to access this technology is still outside the reach of many small and medium sized engineering companies the so called missing middle. The National Center for Manufacturing Science (NCMS) report that access to these technologies can reduce product design cycles by as much as 66%, with lab testing costs reduced by up to 98%. They report that 75% of small manufacturers saw advantages in Digital Manufacturing. However the cost of implementing these software tools and attracting the right caliber of employee to drive and validate them is prohibitive. So much so that an estimated 280,000 companies are missing out on the opportunities these tools could offer them. Using our expertise and proven track record of developing and applying OpenFOAM Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods to a variety of engineering based problems, TotalSim will simplify the use of these fluid based simulation tools whilst significantly reducing the cost per simulation and hence remove the hurdles that prohibit wider adoption of these proven methodologies in the broader engineering world. It is our intent to create Web Based Vertical Applications focused specifically to the needs of a given Company. The End-user will drive the model definition via a custom designed Web Interface. This will have been customized to capture the specific requirements of the given product or component they are trying to design and improve, presenting them with a familiar set of inputs. From these inputs, and hidden from the user, a high fidelity, complex fluid model will be built, analyzed and reported on. The high-end computing resources required for these simulations will be provided by HPC service centers such as Ohio Supercomputer Center or HPC brokerages like Nimbis Services, Inc. both of whom are partnering on this project. We envisage building upwards of 10 generic families of applications for fluid flow solutions covering the broad base of engineering flow classes. These generic templates will be customized many times over to make them applicable to the individual requirements of each End-user. The cost of building these Vertical Applications, stressing them, and building the bespoke interface will be met by TotalSim. The End-users will be charged on a run by run basis, creating an easily budgeted price per simulation value proposition for the customer. Advanced simulation capabilities such as Automated Optimization Methods, custom analysis and reporting will be offered as additional services and at an additional charge. Engineering firms that are too small to invest in internal CFD departments can look to this technology to enhance or eventually replace their physical testing programs. Manufacturing firms with small or limited engineering can enhance their product designs via these tools or potential do competitive analysis via reverse engineering is a cost effective manner.