WindFarmer 5.0 software aids the design and analysis of wind farm layouts, to give maximum energy yield with minimum environmental impact. The new release includes wind-flow modeling that lets wind farm analysts calculate the changes in wind speed across a site. A feasibility study grade model is bundled with the package, and optionally the industry…
Drivetrain design firm to launch next gen software at Husum
An engineering firm that specializes in gearbox and drivetrain design and performance optimisation, will launch its next generation drivetrain design platform at HUSUM WindEnergy 2012. Claiming it will ‘drive down the cost of wind energy’ by improving reliability, reducing downtime, and promoting easier, less frequent maintenance, Romax will unveil details of its new platform at…
Turbine CAD? OEM and software developer join forces
Wind-turbine developer Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., announced it would partner with software developer Parametric Technology Corp. to offer a lifecycle management system as part of its product line. Headquartered in Needham, Mass., the software company develops engineering design, analysis, and management software to over 25,000 users in industrial, high-tech, aerospace & defense, automotive,…
Alarm software texts you when things go awry
TopView software lets users configure alarms, monitor remote processes, signal notifications, and more. The software is a comprehensive, cost-effective alarm management and notification program that’s useful when data must be monitored, such as in wind turbines and other non-manned facilities. The software lets users quickly respond to abnormal conditions. Users can customize notification messages and…
How predicting failure improves reliability
Engineers working to increase product quality and reliability will find a working knowledge of statistics invaluable. Design teams can use a conventional test-and-improve cycle or a more formal DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) sequence. However, this part of product development is too critical to simply toss “over the wall” to a test-department. Without…
Gear software for design and analysis
Gear and gearbox manufacturer Excel has developed software that the company says quickly determines maximum product parameters for gears needed in various industries. The Excel-Lent software is said to save engineers a lot of time when designing pinion and gear or a gearbox. With minimal input the Design portion of the software will calculate…
Trends in simulation software
General purpose finite-element analysis has proven itself very successful at finding stresses in structures if you assume a steady load. But wind turbines present a range of engineering challenges that arise from large displacements, non-linear material properties, and time varying loads from air flows, conditions which challenge general purpose structural analysis. For these applications it…
Software assists with wind-farm layouts
Sarah Herman WindFarmer Specialist GL Garrad Hassan Austin, Texas www.gl-garradhassan.com Wind-farm designs and energy assessments are complex processes that vary greatly depending upon the constraints and challenges of each site. Stakeholders such as developers, utilities, and financiers must technically evaluate a project to determine its profitability and feasibility. Software that can model the performance of…
Free software predicts composite stiffness
A manufacturer of high-performance composite fabrics has released the latest version of its laminate-analysis software, VectorLam Cirrus. The new version offers better tools for comparing and evaluating stiffness, strength, weight, and cost in a composite part. The software has a metric-unit option on a Summary page, hull-side laminates on the DNV page, and more deflection limit options. Also new:…
Software for long-range resource planning
ABB companyVentyx has a PowerBase Suite license contract with U.S.-based ISO Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The company’s software adds long-range resource planning analysis capability to nodal electricity market operations.
Free software predicts composite stiffness
A manufacturer of high-performance composite fabrics has released the latest version of its laminate-analysis software, VectorLam Cirrus. The new version offers better tools for comparing and evaluating stiffness, strength, weight, and cost in a composite part. The software has a metric unit option on a Summary page, hull-side laminates on the DNV page, and more deflection limit options. Also…
A new way to try before you buy
A web-based analytical tool is available from a manufacturer of small wind power systems (2.5 kW to 100 kW).
Decision tree helps select math optimizer
The Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) Library uses a decision tree in software to select optimization routines for engineering tasks. The software’s step-by-step instructions help researchers, for example, solve turbine design problems or find new photovoltaic materials. Many software devices use these routines as building blocks of their applications. They rely on the knowledge base in…
Shaft alignments? There’s an app for that!
Laser Align is a free reference tool for aligning shafts on rotating equipment. The software also links to information about Prueftechnik alignment products such as the Rotalign Ultra, Optalign Smart, Shaftalign, and Aligneo. Information is also available on monitoring, vibration, and balancing products such as the Vibxpert, Vibscanner, and Vibnode. LUDECA ludeca.com
Building a better turbine blade
A first objective on most any large design project is to get to the lightest weight possible. At NASA Langley Research Center, where I helped develop the code that later became HyperSizer, designs for spacecraft that include composites also have a zero failure-tolerance. Those projects must strike a critical balance between low weight and high…
Simulation programs for the renewable-energy industry
A range of simulation programs under the Ansys brand can models problems and equipment frequently encountered in the renewable energy industry. For wind turbines, the developer’s software models offshore wind-turbine foundations including fatigue and wave and current structure interaction; blade, turbine, gearbox/transmission systems; aerodynamics, noise assessment, position siting, and seismic studies. Interfacing facilities allow working…
Software and Hardware for Managing Lubricants
The Matrix Wireless Fluid Management System tracks, monitors, and reports the lubricating oil and fluids used in manufacturing and service applications. Components from Graco Inc., Minneapolis, include dispense meters, Tank Level Monitors (TLM), Transceivers, Pump Air Controls (PAC), and operating software. Matrix uses wireless technology to initiate dispense orders and monitor tank-level information by the…