PARTICLE-BASED CFD SOFTWARE FOR MOST RAPID PROTOTYPING

Here we go! PreonLab 7.1 is out now.

This release brings airflow generation for soiling simulations, extends vehicle dynamics functionality, and further improves thermal simulation – making the solver both faster and more accurate. In addition, it includes a wide range of workflow and usability enhancements shaped directly by customer feedback. Together, these updates strengthen physics modeling, software efficiency, and day-to-day workflows, making PreonLab more robust, flexible, and user-friendly.

• Virtual Wind Tunnel: Version 7.1 introduces a new FVM-based airflow solver that allows users to generate steady and transient airflows directly within PreonLab. While applicable to a wide range of geometries, it is particularly optimized for vehicle applications. The generated airflow can be coupled one-way with hydrodynamics for soiling simulations, enabling faster feedback loops early in the design phase and reducing reliance on external tools.
• Higher-order Thermal Solver Upgrades: Building on the previous release, the higher-order thermal solver has been further improved to deliver both higher accuracy and better performance. Benchmark results show increased robustness and consistency, making thermal simulations more reliable across a wide range of use cases. These improvements also make conjugate heat transfer (CHT) simulations increasingly viable within a single tool and enhance stability in coupled workflows.
• Improved workflows and user experience: PreonLab 7.1 introduces a broad set of workflow and usability improvements driven by user feedback. The focus is on making everyday simulation work smoother, faster, and more intuitive – especially for experienced users. New features include simulation stopping criteria, calculated properties, sensor data export in EnSight Gold format, and improved scene access and concurrency control.
• Other Notable Additions: The release also improves simulation stability for the Full Car Suspension Model (FCSM) and enhances vehicle motion along curved paths using Ackermann kinematics. Vehicle behavior is now more realistic, with velocity-independent path definitions and more predictable steering.
  In addition, external forces and torques can now be applied to dynamic rigids, enabling more advanced and realistic simulation scenarios.