The Wizard Interface is designed to lead the user through the following steps to import data. Each step can require several tasks. The user can progress through the steps and task by pressing the Next button.
Introduction
This is a standard feature of wizards and provides a common starting point while describing the process.
Step 1 - Initial Setup
The first task is to specify the type of output desired, because the steps and tasks that are required are dependent on this selection.
The second task of this step provides access to the auto-save file and allows retrieval or erasing of data sets.
Step 2 - Gather Geometry
The first task it to read the data files. Several data file types are supported, as shown below. In addition, some simple functions are provided to orient the data, crop large data sets, edit objects, and delete unwanted objects.
Table 9.17: Data Import File Types
Description
File Extension
3D IGES File
*.igs or *.iges
TurboGrid Input File Set
*.curve
Pro/ENGINEER ‘ibl’ File
*.ibl
Generic text input file
*.dat
The hub curve set (one or more curves) and shroud curve set are required and these curves must extend past the blade on both ends. Selection for each curve set is done in a separate specialized task where selections identify components of each curve.
At least one blade must be identified. A blade can be defined by two or more curve sets that form closed loops or by a collection of surfaces that form the surface of the blade. If surfaces are used, then curves should not be. The surfaces will be intersected by the spanwise layers (surfaces of revolution) to form closed loops.
Step 3 - Meridional Profile
This step displays only the hub and shroud curve sets. If there are errors, they can be corrected with the edit function or returning to the previous step to correct object usage.
Once the curves are complete and all errors corrected, the meridional interpolation grid is displayed with arrows for the stream (black) and span (gray) directions.
Note: Corrections to the streamwise direction are made by editing the hub curve and reversing its direction in the previous step.
Step 4 - Verify Blade Curves
Upon entering this step, any surface intersections required are performed. The curve sets are then displayed. The user can modify the layer specification using the Layer button, which will cause the intersections to be recalculated.
The user should verify the curve loops that make up the blade(s) on each layer.
Note: Use Edit Curves and press the "Copy First to Last" to correct an "Ends don’t match" error.
Step 5 - Select Tangency Points
The user must identify the tangency points (between the blade side and end). In addition, sometimes an adjustment must be made to the meridional length to correct for sparse data. Often the LE/TE Elliptical ratio must be adjusted to best fit the data. This is often the most complicated and tedious step, as there is a task for each end of each layer of each blade.
The user should also confirm that the resulting meridional profile of the blade is correct as the last task.
Completion - Data Transfer
When the full meanline data set is complete, the completion page is enabled. When the user presses Finish button on this page, the dialogs specific to the types of output requested are displayed.