1. BladeModeler
4.0 BladeGen

2. Introduction BladeModeler CAD CAD UserIO BladeGen DesignModeler
BladeEditor
UserIO
CAD
TurboGrid
Simulation
CFX-Mesh
ICEM CFD

3. Introduction Stationary or Rotating Components
Centrifugal Compressors, Pumps or Blowers
Radial Turbines - Turbochargers, Francis, Expanders
Axial Fans, Inducers, Compressors or Turbines
Diffusers, Deswirl Cascades, Guide Vanes …
Ruled Element or Sculpted Blades
Linear or Non-Linear Leading and Trailing Edges
User Specified Leading and Trailing Edge Shapes
Shrouded or Unshrouded Designs
Trim Tool for Splitter Blades

4. BladeGen in Workbench
BladeGen is launched from the Workbench Start Page

5. BladeGen in Workbench
BladeGen can also be launched from the Project Page
Double-clicking on a BGD or BGI file in Windows Explorer will also launch BladeGen in Workbench

6. BladeGen Axial Radial Impeller Simple Axial Radial Deswirl Vane
Radial Diffuser
Radial Turbine

7. BladeGen
Initial Blade Setup
Can define wrap angle, thickness, and number of blades

8. BladeGen
Initial Blade Setup
Alternatively, blade can be defined by defining pressure and suction sides

9. BladeGen: Design Environment
Meridional View
Auxilliary View
Angle View
Thickness View

10. BladeGen
PS/SS
Angle/Thickness

11. BladeGen: Meridional View
Meridional Profile of blade is created in meridional view
Curves can be defined as:
Piecewise Linear
Cubic Spline
Bezier
Best Fit Polynomial
Arc Segment

12. BladeGen
Linear or non-linear leading and trailing edges can be created

13. BladeGen
Blade shape is defined in a number of layers from hub to shroud

14. BladeGen
User can specify blade on each layer in Angle view by:
Curve defining beta
Curve defining theta
End Angle
End Angle with Beta Slope = 0

15. Blade Angle Definition
BladeGen
Blade Angle defines camber line shape
Can define blade angle by:
Wrap Angle Distribution (m-theta)
Flow Angle Distribution (m-beta)
Blade Angle Definition

16. BladeGen
Can generate Ruled Element or Sculpted Blades

17. BladeGen: Flank Milled Blade Support
When exporting the geometry, output the meridional defining points for the hub and shroud contour splines instead of the normal point distribution
Can be used to control the surface ruling
LE/TE shape still added
Use care to make sure the contour points do not overlap the ellipse points

18. BladeGen: Thickness
By default, thickness is uniform from hub to shroud
Thickness can be defined on individual layers
Thickness can be defined as follows:
Normal to Meanline on Layer Surface (default)
Normal to Camber Surface
Tangential on Layer Surface

19. BladeGen
Thickness Distribution Options

20. BladeGen: Second Thickness Curve
If defining normal to meanline on layer thickness, “Show Second Thickness Curve” option displays normal to camber thickness
If defining normal to camber thickness, this option displays normal to meanline on layer thickness

21. BladeGen
Splitter Blades can be added

22. Blade Output
Blade Extension
Allows the user to specify additional curves in the Meridional View to control the extension of the blade (usually for manufacturing).
Over/Under Filing
Specified by location, length, and depth.

23. Auxiliary View Addition
Multiple Auxiliary Views
OpenGL View Enhancements
Included in Auxiliary View.
Printing and Clipboard available.
Contours on Meridional Profile
Theta, Beta, or Thickness
Plots of Theta, Beta, and Thickness vs. Z and R
Additional Graph Types

24. Report Generation
Creation of a Rich Text Format (rtf) file
User Specified content.
Almost any view, plot, or table imaginable.
Uses ‘BGI’ file format and editor.
Accessed through File | Export menu.

25. Additional Geometry Tools
Rotation of Vanes in Meridional Passages
Rotation of Blade about an Axis.
Currently limited to Radial Passages Only.
Addition Geometry Modification/Corrections
Reverse Flow Direction
Reverse Theta Direction
Swap Hub and Shroud Curves

26. IGES data import through import wizard
AutoCAD
IGES
CFX-BladeGen
Pro/ENGINEER

27. Data Export to TurboGrid
TurboGrid Export icon on BladeGen toolbar
Exported TurboGrid INF file is registered on the Project Page
INF file contains geometry units, leading and trailing edge types and *.curve filenames

28. Data Export to CAD
Import .bgd file into DesignModeler
Details covered in next lecture

29. BladeGen: Miscellany New Features in BladeGen 11.0:
Improved over/under-filed blades
Supports longer filing lengths
Removed extrapolation of meanline to prevent pressure/suction curves from crossing; the result is that an over-filed, cut-off blade may be shorter than the original
Cut-off blades imported by BladeEditor should be unaffected by the extrapolation change
Improved TurboGrid export
Additional information about the blade (surface lofting) sent to TG through the .inf file
Proper .curve point markers for cut-off and square edged blades

30. BladeGen
Final note before saving:
Prior to saving model, it is important to specify the model properties, esp. Model Units under Tools > Properties

31. BladeGen
Some hands on practical demonstrations to try
Practical #2