SimScale Recensioner

Detailed & Easy

Fördelar:

I am an OpenFOAM user and I like the freedom it gives the user to play with the parameters. SimScale offers the same level of freedom but with an interface that's simple and effortless to handle. Since it is cloud-based there isn't any need to download it and even the free version provides a lot of computing hours.

Nackdelar:

I am still exploring the software and have enjoyed every bit of it. I would appreciate if the tutorials emphasize more on the values used while mesh refining as well as Numerics and Simulation Control.

A good CFD tool

Kommentarer: It is a very good tool. The support is excellent. They are very responsive and get back with solutions to the issues. The tool is still under rapid development and is only likely to add more features with time.

Fördelar:

SimScale has made a cloud native simulation platform that works seamlessly. Importing CAD from OnShape is extrememly easy, while you also have the option of importing from your computer. Setting up simulations is extremely easy and it is convenient to setup the default cases very quickly. It takes a bit more effort to figure out how to change away from the defaults and incorporate approaches which are no pre-built. The post processing is also quite easy. You can also download the results and post-process in ParaView which is very helpful and opens up lots of options.

Nackdelar:

Although the integration with OnShape is extremely good, it requires a separate license. A small set of CAD features within SimScale would be very helpful. All of the post processing is visual. The ability to output certain results in tables / plots would be helpful. A measuring tool within the simulation domain would be very helpful. When setting boundary conditions, it is sometimes very useful to have a measuring tool to get a idea of some dimensions.

CFD + Customer Service need work

Fördelar:

Speed Ease of use/understanding Complete control; SimScale has built-in options that allows more advanced users better control Customer support responds quickly

Nackdelar:

I worked on a project evaluating SimScale for use in a professional setting and the software was unable to provide accurate results for a simple CFD simulation that I worked on with customer support for quite some time. They were responsive, but seemingly unable to find any issue with my solution that would only converge with unreliable results, if at all. Soon, they stopped responding. It just looks like the implementation of OpenFoam for CFD and the support staff are not at the level they need to be for SimScale to work for us right now. Hopefully things will improve in the future!

Cost effective solutions in a rapid manner

Kommentarer: Overall, my experience has been great with SimScale. I've been able to either work through challenges myself using the readily available documentation or as a last resort reach out to the customer support for a quick resolution.

Fördelar:

SimScale is easy to implement since it is entirely web-based. Not IT restrictions or limitations as you might experience with other similar software. There is a tremendous user community and the customer support is excellent. The workflow in SimScale is linear and easily understood by users even with limited experience. The help files and documentation often help resolve any problems you might be experiencing with the simulations.

Nackdelar:

In my field dealing with pressure vessels and piping, it would be beneficial to have a way to model cracks in order to predict propagation that would align with Level 3 FFS assessments.

Good for Thermal Mass Transfer and High Velocity Gas Flow Analysis

Kommentarer: I have improved, explained, or discounted a number of my designs with the help of SimScale. SimScale's strength is in CFD and Thermal Analysis.

Fördelar:

Good support, tutorials and worked examples. SimScale is quite good for the casual user and the mathematics is well hidden. The default Numerics seem to work most of the time.

Nackdelar:

In my opinion the software is still a work in progress, especially the interface, but this is good in a way because there are always new improvements appearing.If the CFD default Numerics do not work the settings can quickly confuse and without support from the Simscale Support team I would worry. To increase the user base of CFD someone has to come up with more obvious terms and explanations in this space, e.g. when is it best to use Gauss Linear Limited Corrected instead of Gauss Linear Corrected? This is true of most CFD tools that I have experienced.

Talleres Artificio Review

Kommentarer: I see a lot of potential in Simscale, is a really good modeling tool and has a lot of tutorials and a quick answering customer support.

Fördelar:

I like Simscale, because you can achieve really good results, is really easy to use and the support answers really fast if you have any questions. Also, I can keep using my computer for other things like making a report or editing the geometry for a new design.

Nackdelar:

Maybe Simscale should include in the future shell and beam elements.

Easy to learn, even without previous FEA experience

Kommentarer: I am an electrical engineer by training and don't routinely use FEA software in my current role. However, I had a problem that needed solving, no access to any other FEA packages, so I found SimScale. I probably won't be able to justify a fully licensed version, but the learning opportunity alone on the trial version is well worth your time investment. The ease of use and how quickly I was able to run a basic simulation was amazing. Even importing geometry was easy. Also very helpful is the ability to see how your solution is converging (or not). With that data you can make assessments about time step, mesh resolution, etc. It makes striking a balance between accuracy and computational intensity much easier to judge.

Fördelar:

The online tutorials made this software very easy to gain a basic proficiency very quickly. The menu layout makes it easy to set simulation parameters and reduces the chance of missing something that will negatively impact the accuracy of your simulation.

Nackdelar:

So far I've found nothing that I don't like.

Simple to use

Kommentarer: We needed a CFD solution that came with great support for the casual user. We only use it a few times a year, but it gives us great results. This helps us to have confidence our designs will perform as desired.

Fördelar:

For a company that does not have a full time simulation staff person this is perfect. Easy to learn and support is #1.

Nackdelar:

Nothing. This software is great. When I get interns and they need to simulate something I just link them up with SimScale. The support people at SimScale are great and help on board my staff.

Simscale evaluation

Kommentarer: I compared the software with Ansys, which I used for many years, and it's getting close to provide me the same experience.

Fördelar:

Cloud based, powerfull, easy to link with CAD

Nackdelar:

Not covering the dynamic explicit, post processing has been improved but still need improvement, no possibility to restart simulation in dynamic

All around support

Fördelar:

It supports all types of 3D models and can be used from anywhere since it is cloud-based.

Nackdelar:

In the beginning, it is not very intuitive. Complicated simulations can become too much for the software.

Cloud Simulation Really Works

Kommentarer: I have used a lot of simulation packages over the past twenty five years including Nastran, Ansys, Solidworks, and a host of others. I have been using Simscale for about nine months now and it has become my goto simulation tool. The cloud concept provides a lot of benefits and one of my favorite is the convenience it allows. I am no longer tied to my Windows workstation, now I perform most of my analysis on a $250 chromebook. I can work on my simulations anywhere and I no longer have to worry about my ram or graphics drivers or versions of Windows. While the convenience of a browser based simulation tool is great, it has also allowed me to run models larger than I have ever conceived on my own workstation. I can run a static analysis with over 20 million DOFs and it will solve in a couple of hours. The value proposition is another huge benefit. The annual subscription rate is less than the maintenance fee I paid on my Solidworks Simulation with only linear static capability. Simscale includes linear and nonlinear structural analysis as well as thermal and CFD. I am also saving money because I do not have to worry about updating my workstation or Windows. Simscale is not a perfect tool, the two biggest areas of pain for me are the element types and the post processing. Right now Simscale does not support shells, beams, or springs. They are limited to primarily to tet elements so you have to use workarounds to accomplish some things. Also, the online post processor works well for small and medium jobs but for really large jobs you will need to postprocess locally. One other noteworthy area is customer service. Simscale probably has the most responsive customer service of any of the simulation companies I have work with.

Using SimScale for pump design validation and new product design

Kommentarer: In general SimScale enables me to validate the design of my pump designs. Even though it does not give "absolute" true values in all cases, it can give an indication of trends and effects of design modifications. The rotary machine analysis is a key feature (MRF rotating zone) in my case.

Fördelar:

The user interface is intuitive and easy to use. the interface to the cad model is relatively easy to use and straight forward. It can be a tedious job to work out the geometry in such a way that it is workable as a geometric input to the flow volume. The workflow is easy to understand and only a few introductory tutorials are needed to get up an running. In some cases Simscale can be used to laymen in CFD - similar to what FEM analysis is in 3D modelling design tools such as Autodesk Inventor.

Nackdelar:

I have not jet learned how to link up the CAD model to the Simscale model in such a way that modifications in the CAD model can be used to "regenerate" the flow volume of a CDF model (if it is possible at all?) It would be a great feature if is was possible, i.e. to make new versions of the base model and update the CDF analysis based on that. Opens up for more parametric analysis.

Customer Support

Kommentarer: The SimScale modelling results help me quickly design new and unique heat transfer devices.

Fördelar:

Customer support is second to none. SimScale has a very fast response and they not only answer the specific question that is asked but go into detail about why a particular feature works the way it does. This includes (sometimes) short videos that are extemely helpful

Nackdelar:

I would like to see the inclusion of phase change (i.e liquid to gas) capabilities.

Good but could be better

Kommentarer: Pros: easily accessible, relatively ease of use, based on very good solvers, good customer experience and communication. Cons: lack of "pay as you go option", lack of free access to CFD tutorial license option to get proficient in the software to reduce price of use, such payment solution pushes away people who don't have regular customer base yet from SimScale to CalculiX, OpenFOAM, Salome platform. For the price of the training and 1 year access I did OpenFoam training with accommodation in Italy. OpenFOAM itself doesn't cost a bit! I recommend:
- introducing pay as you go option,
-allowing other simulations for free with limited amount of nodes/elements to learn the interface
-reduce the price for training Generally very good idea! Regards,
Arek

CAE without the capital investment

Kommentarer: Interesting project that keeps evolving all the time. The customer service is extremely good and personal. From onboarding to troubleshooting.

Fördelar:

It fits an agile workflow very well, without blocking a workstation (which is not needed, any laptop will do) and no overhead of maintains your own cluster. The tools tend to be a bit slower then proprietary solutions but the messaging workflow is nice. Connection to Onshape cloud cad is a big plus.

Nackdelar:

Some features change their functionality and or disappear for a while. They are brought back later and better, but it hinders the workflow.

Great 3D modeling

Fördelar:

Easy to use, and great support. Had an issue and support was able to resolve the problem.

Nackdelar:

Could be cheaper, but works well and does what it is supposed to do.

SimScale - a great solution for SMEs

Fördelar:

What I liked the most about the platform is the dedicated customer support. From the onboarding project that helped me get started, to the regular web-meetings with an experienced Customer Success Engineer, the customer support of SimScale excels at many levels. Another thing that I liked is the ease of use of the platform. The interface is pretty straightforward and the team behind SimScale is constantly working on improving it. The automated mesher functions great and succeeds at meshing complex geometries.

Nackdelar:

The lack of shell elements and the lack of possibility to model composite materials. SimScale also has limited functionality when it comes to fatigue. As more features are implemented, I hope to see these soon :)

Great software with great customer support

Kommentarer: Great experience would definitely recommend for anyone that wants/has to design and simulate a product or objec. As a engineering student I feel this is a great software to learn and increase knowledge in design and materials.

Fördelar:

SimScale is a great package, I personally used it as an educational resourse for the biomedical industry and I absolutely loved it. It has a whole set of functions and tools that allows you to design, pre-process, and post-process. It also contains the geometry, mesh and simulation tabs that make this software incredible realiable. The webinars SimScale offers are really helpful and allows you to learn more about te software and opens the options of use in many industries. The staff are always very helpful and willing to explain and help in any topic.

Nackdelar:

Even though it is a great software and has all the main tools and functions, it still lacks a few features that are highly used in some industries.

Short introduction to test some simple metal constructions

Kommentarer: I encountered some problems regarding model creation during process. Problem is that I tried to repeat tutorial described process, so failed on a half way and was not able to repeat this on my own models. So excellent idea, fantastic solution but complex enough not to hit it on first time and some minor questions regarding repeating the lessons. Sorry I have not found time to get in deeper, but please continue to develop this solution. :)

Too much for me (and for free)

Kommentarer: First, I'm an industrial designer, with no experience in simulation and a brief training in structural analysis. I tried this software this summer while designing a product for the startup I work for, attracted by 2 words: "online" and "free". They have very slim budget and moreover I'm no expert in simulation, so spending money for a tool I couldn't use would make no sense. Me and my colleague, which is more familiar with simulations, were surprised by how easy was to use the program and how much did it offer for free: for example, the hours of cloud computing are a good feature for people working without a great hardware, or without enough time! Unfortunately, none of us was familiar enough with simulations to extract value from this tool, even if customer assistance has been outstanding.

Great learning tool and

Fördelar:

It's free for public users/hobbyists making it a great way to start learning about analysis. It lets you be free to make mistakes and learn from them and try again.

Nackdelar:

I haven't used much other analysis packages so I don't really have anything to compare to

Nice aproach and easy to use.

Kommentarer: the software is pretty useful, the tutorials are enogh if you had use any simulation software before, in the other hand, if i compare it with ansys im not sure about the the accuracy of the methods or the calculations. but as a fact if i have a hurry, i will use simscale it is faster.

Fördelar:

the way it manage the data. you can work any time and almost everywere

Nackdelar:

the confidence on the results is compromised, many clients requires some specific software in order to maintain this confidence.

Perfect for the startup

Kommentarer: We gained the insight by simulations we ran, which helped us to optimize out product in short time.

Fördelar:

Easy to setup and running without IT and equipment overhead.The best part was the real time support integrated through the software. It helped us to move quickly with the help of knowledgeable support engineers.

Nackdelar:

More control over various mesh would have been much nicer.

Feedback

Fördelar:

-I find that the interface is more efficient and saves time, -The quality of postprocessing is perfect, -The mesh quality tool that can facilitate the study of mesh sensitivity and reduce the associated numerical errors. -Timely support and documentation is very helpful, even for beginners in CFD.

Nackdelar:

-The CAD mode needs more functionality to manage most of the modeling or CAD preparation. - Custom Field Function (CFF) and User Defined Function (UDF) need to be integrated in Simscale. - The 2D streamlines need also to be integrated in the post-processing if there is a 3D model to analyze.

Simscale: The Thingiverse of CFD

Kommentarer: Simscale enables users to design and run various forms of physical modelling from the user's web-browser. From Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the capabilities are very broad. Providing a user-friendly interface and cutting the barriers to learning, e.g. access to software and computational power, Simscale represents a very promising way of learning various elements of computational modelling.