Engineering Fluid Dynamics (EFD) are a critical part of product design across all industries. EFD keeps costs in line by reducing the number of prototypes needed and speeds up time to market, all while ensuring the design meets quality objectives.

Engineers know they need a highly functional, readily available solution that doesn’t slow them down by requiring them to log in to a different system whenever they need EFD capabilities. Instead, they need a solution that can apply multiple EFD packages – but there are lots of options available, making it hard to choose the right solution for the team. Here’s our comparison of FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation to help you narrow the field.

FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Feature Comparison

Computational Fluid Dynamics

When it comes to FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, both are highly functional solutions. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation simulates fluid flow, heat transfer, electronic cooling, and fluid forces. Some of these capabilities require the purchase of specialized modules, which is covered in the dedicated modules section below.

FloEFD is also a highly functional EFD computation engine. It automatically recognizes changes to models and ensures that the CADS geometry and the simulation data are in sync. It includes models, porous media, PCB and LEDs, HVAC, combustion, and hypersonic flow. It also has the most advanced meshing algorithm capabilities.

FloEFD has the most advanced meshing algorithm tools.

Industry Support

FloEFD has tools to support the unique requirements of Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Plant and Process, Power, and General Manufacturing. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation supports a more extensive list, including home & Lifestyle, but much of the industry required functionality requires the purchase of add-on modules. The more inclusive design philosophy in FloEFD makes it a better choice for companies who manufacture complex products.

FloEFD’s built-in tools support a wide range of industries without any add-ons.

Languages and UI

Language support in SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is archaic in its approach. Users hover their pointer over the primary language feature name and it displays the translation in a tool tip. This is slow, cumbersome, and inconsistent with today’s global workplaces.

FloEFD is available in multiple local languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, Russian and English. Language support covers support, documentation, and the product’s UI.

Usability Advantage

The user interface for SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation looks like a typical Windows application from ten to fifteen years ago. FloEFD has a more modern look and feel, with frequently used functions and tools clustered on the screen in changeable ribbons as well as in a left-hand menu bar. This provides access to more capabilities without needlessly complicating the screen. The functionality clusters show a deep understanding of the user’s tasks and needs.

FloEFD has a modern, easy-to-use UI that helps increase productivity.

Integration with CAD Systems

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is fully embedded in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, but it is not natively integrated with other 3D CAD systems. However, it does allow users to change multiple variables to optimize performance within the CAD design.

FloEFD integrates easily with 3D CAD solutions such as PTC Creo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, and Siemens NX. Choosing FloEFD is the better choice if you use any CAD system other than SOLIDWORKS, and even then, FloEFD may be a better choice because it provides more flexibility for the future.

Advanced Meshing Technology

Both SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation and FloEFD include advanced and highly effective meshing capabilities. Since this is a core requirement, it makes sense that both companies would spend a great deal of effort ensuring their meshing is top-notch. There is no clear winner in meshing technology when it comes to FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation. Both are excellent.

Dedicated Modules or Versions

To accomplish a complete design, SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation may require you to purchase add-on modules or specialized versions to get the functionality you need. Add-ons include an HVAC module and an electronics cooling module.

FloEFD also has specialized add-on modules, including FloTherm, FloTherm XT, FloTherm PCB, FloTherm Pack, FloTherm IV, FloTherm Flex, LED analysis, and FloMaster for piping.

In either case, if your product or industry requires the team to analyze these types of factors, the add-ons may be worth the investment in enhanced productivity and accuracy.

FloEFD and SOLIDWORKS include add-ons that help increase productivity and accuracy for specific tasks.

FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulator Comparison Winner

We try to be fair and unbiased when we do our product comparisons, but sometimes one solution is clearly superior to the other. In the case of FloEFD vs SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulator, the choice seems simple to us. Unless you already have an investment in SOLIDWORKS CAD, FloEFD offers more flexibility in the use of associated CAD solutions, a better, more efficient UI, more advanced industry capabilities, and better support for global teams.

If you are interested in learning more about how FloEFD can improve your engineering performance, speed time to market and reduce the costs of prototyping and quality, contact us today.