Mentor Graphics FloEFD helps Bromley develop aerodynamics of Skeleton 2013 sled

USA: Mentor Graphics Corp. announced that its market-leading FloEFD computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation solution helped Skeleton Bobsleigh World Championship winner Shelley Rudman of Great Britain to her first world championship win in St. Moritz, Switzerland on February 1, 2013.

Her custom sled was designed and developed by Bromley Technologies Ltd, the leading high-performance Skeleton equipment supplier. They chose the FloEFD CAD-embedded CFD solution because it allows them to parametrically design custom elite athlete-focused sleds inside their chosen MCAD software package, Creo from PTC Inc. The software has helped them achieve improved performance due to usability and functionality.

Rudman said: “This is the title I’ve been waiting for the last two years. Everything just came together on the day, so I'm happy." Prof. Kristan Bromley, CEO of Bromley Technologies, based in Rotherham, UK, and the 2008 World Champion, said: “We have been working with Mentor Graphics on the aerodynamics of the athlete-sled system for the last two years and, when coupled with our structural analysis simulation tools, our in-house design know-how, and many, many hours of testing time on the track, we have come up with a very competitive package for Shelley.”

The Mentor Graphics Concurrent CFD methodology in the FloEFD solution can reduce simulation time by up to 75 percent, compared to traditional CFD tools. It enables users to optimize product performance and reliability while reducing physical prototyping and development costs quickly and cost effectively. The FloEFD solution is an established technology.

“We are addressing real-world manufacturing and engineering challenges with the unique workflow advantages of our FloEFD CFD solution, especially with its advanced performance, usability, and functionality,” said Erich Buergel, GM of the Mentor Graphics Mechanical Analysis Division.

“We are excited for Shelley, Kristan and for Team Bromley, in what they have been able to achieve in such a short period of time, given the competitive constraints they have to work under and a goal of being number one. We wish them ongoing success for the Sochi Olympics next year in Russia.”