Enhancing product development with computational fluid dynamics

Product designers face increasing commercial pressure to develop successful products and are looking more often for tools that give them a competitive advantage. Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) describes a range of software tools that offer insight into the physical behaviour of their design, leading to better products, in less time and at lower cost. CAE has potential beyond its traditions as an engineering tool. In product design, CAE fosters innovation and is champion of the visionary. This paper reviews CAE and the benefits it brings to the product development process of Fisher & Paykel, an appliance manufacturing company. The focus moves to a particular CAE tool, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CID), and how CFD can be applied most effectively in the appliance manufacturing industry. Recommendations include strategic use of CID, educated execution and combination with experimental methods. The paper concludes with several examples of CFD in product development, demonstrating the benefits achievable with these guidelines.