9.1.1. Introduction

This section provides an overview of the BladeGen software and User’s Guide. The following topics are covered:

9.1.1.1. What is BladeGen?

BladeGen is a component of ANSYS BladeModeler. The BladeModeler software is a specialized, easy-to-use tool for the rapid 3-D design of rotating machinery components. Incorporating ANSYS, Inc’s extensive turbomachinery expertise into a user-friendly graphical environment, the software can be used to design axial, mixed-flow and radial blade components in applications such as pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, turbines, expanders, turbochargers, inducers and others.

BladeModeler provides the essential link between blade design and advanced simulation including computational fluid dynamics and stress analyses. BladeModeler contains a rich set of tools and functions for designing a turbomachinery blade from scratch, using industry-specific tools, workflow, and language that the blade designer expects.

With BladeGen, the user can re-design existing blades to achieve new design goals or create completely new blade designs from scratch. When either redesigning or evaluating an existing blade design, BladeGen facilitates the import of blade geometry interactively or through user supplied files. BladeGen allows sculpted or ruled element blades with linear or compound lean leading or trailing edges. Over/Under-Filing can be applied and leading and trailing edge shapes are easily specified as a full radius, an ellipse ratio, or a simple cutoff.

BladeModeler represents a pivotal link between blade design, advanced analysis and manufacturing. Used in combination with ANSYS analysis software, users can rapidly evaluate the performance of a component. BladeGen model files can be imported into DesignModeler using the BladeEditor feature. BladeEditor provides a seamless path to both structural and fluid analysis, which enables the user to efficiently transition from preliminary blade design, to full 3-D viscous flow analysis, and finally to the users native CAD system.

9.1.1.2. System Requirements

BladeGen is a component of Ansys Workbench. Please check the Ansys Workbench help on system requirements for more details.

9.1.1.3. Using On-Line Help

Help can be obtained from the Help | Help Topics menu command.

9.1.1.4. Hover Help

Hover help is provided in most views for additional information on the data being displayed. The bubble is displayed when the user holds the mouse cursor stationary (hovers) over a data point. The bubble is removed when the user clicks a mouse button or moves the mouse over the bubble.

The bubble displays various data depending on the view and data. As a minimum, the bubble displays the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the point. Additional information is available in the Graph Views. The table below describes the information which can be displayed.

Symbol

Description

Views

X

Horizontal Position

All but Contour

Y

Vertical Position

All but Contour

Z

Axial Position

Graph, Contour

R

Radial Position

Graph, Contour

T

Angular Position (Theta)

Graph

Thk

Thickness

Graph

B

Blade Angle, Axial (Beta)

Graph

S

Meridional Length Fraction

Graph

M

Meridional Location

Graph

M’

M-Prime Location

Graph

C

Camber Location

Graph

T’

Theta-Prime Location

Graph

L

Blade Lean Angle

Graph

V

Value

Contour

9.1.1.5. Getting Technical Help

If you have any questions or difficulties concerning our products, please contact your ANSYS support provider. The ANSYS website (www.ansys.com) provides contact information.