CD-adapco
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer software, Computer-aided engineering (CAE) |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Fate | Acquired by Siemens Digital Industries Software in 2016 |
| Headquarters | New York , United States |
| Products | STAR-CCM+, STAR-CD, STAR-Design, STAR-CAD |
| Parent | Siemens Digital Industries Software |
CD-adapco was an international computer software enterprise specializing in computer-aided engineering (CAE) solutions, widely recognized for its expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software.[1] The company’s flagship offerings included STAR-CCM+, STAR-CD, and STAR-Design. In 2016, Siemens Digital Industries Software completed the acquisition of CD-adapco for US$970 million.[2]
Origins
Established in 1980 in New York under the name Analysis and Design Application Company ("adapco"), the organization originally concentrated on finite element method consultancy services for engineering. In 1987, adapco formed a partnership with Computational Dynamics, a startup founded by CFD researchers from Imperial College London. This collaboration resulted in the combined brand name CD-adapco.[3]
By 2009, CD-adapco had experienced a 22% increase in revenue during 2008 and projected comparable growth despite the ongoing global economic downturn, showcasing robustness even as numerous automotive clients encountered challenges.[1] During this timeframe, the company initiated the "No Engineer Left Behind" program, providing complimentary STAR-CCM+ licenses and training to engineers who had lost their jobs.[4]
STAR-CD
The legacy CFD software from CD-adapco, STAR-CD, received acclaim from Renault automotive engineers who described it as a "world class design package." Approximately 75% of points scored in the 2005 Formula One season were achieved by vehicles engineered using STAR-CD.[5]
STAR-CCM+
In 2004, CD-adapco redirected efforts from enhancing STAR-CD towards a complete redevelopment of their CFD algorithms. Beginning anew with a "clean slate," they introduced STAR-CCM+, where "CCM" stands for "computational continuum mechanics".[6] The software employs a client-server model that allows users to initiate simulations on lightweight devices while intensive computations are processed remotely. This design minimizes dependence on expensive desktop hardware typical of comparable solutions.[7]
Even amid economic recessions, clients seldom cut back on annual license renewals.[1] CD-adapco credits STAR-CCM+'s success to its unified methodology that addresses fluid flow and heat transfer concurrently, contrasting with competitors who rely on separate coupled solvers—an approach that often complicates precision and operational efficiency.[1]
STAR-CAD
STAR-CAD provides product lifecycle management capabilities that enable engineers to conduct computational fluid dynamics analyses directly within their preferred computer-aided design platforms. It is compatible with CATIA, Pro/Engineer, SolidWorks, and NX.[8]
Fuel cells
Collaborating with the United States Department of Energy, CD-adapco developed an expert system designed to simulate and evaluate solid oxide fuel cell performance.
Meshing of computational domain
The initial launch of STAR-CCM+ introduced the industry's first commercially accessible polyhedral meshing algorithm. Compared to hexahedral or tetrahedral meshes of equivalent size, polyhedral meshes deliver enhanced precision for fluid dynamics simulations, although their generation process is more intricate.
Automated surface correction
STAR-CCM+ offers a "surface wrapper" utility that effectively "shrink wraps" CAD models by sealing gaps, overlaps, and cracks. This functionality drastically cuts down geometry preparation from several days to just minutes.
Siemens acquisition
In January 2023, Siemens signed a stock purchase agreement to acquire CD-adapco for $970 million, thereby broadening its range of simulation software solutions.
See also
External links
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