The latest version of HeldenMesh suite of mesh generation tools is currently slated for release in early Nov 2022.  HeldenMesh v4.14 offers a new ability to output meshes with wedge elements along sharp convex edges to improve mesh quality and boundary layer alignment.  Version 4.14 also offers the ability to automatically convert sharp convex edges to minimal thickness blunt trailing edges.  HeldenTool v4.14 now has copy and modify subroutines.  Wildcards are also supported within the source names.  HeldenDesign and HeldenMorph are also available now with the general release along with several run scripts for performing design and optimization.

While HeldenMesh and HeldenPatch are great tools for automatically generating meshes from the command line, oftentimes the user still needs a graphical user interface to manipulate the geometry and inspect the mesh.  Enter HeldenTool.  HeldenTool is a new graphical user interface designed to serve as the front end for HeldenMesh and HeldenDesign.  HeldenTool is compatible with Linux and macOS.  It can be used for 3D geometry viewing, geometry cleanup and modification, HeldenMesh setup and running, as well as inspection of the surface and volume mesh.  HeldenTool was specifically designed to streamline the mesh generation process and guide the users from CAD to mesh in minutes.  Starting with v4.11, it is provided to all users of HeldenMesh at no extra charge.  Special thanks to NASA for supporting key feature development as part of an SBIR Phase II research.

Purchase of HeldenMesh license now gives users access to the HeldenDesign suite of tools for mesh manipulation and aerodynamic shape optimization.  HeldenDesign is a gradient based,  flow-solver independent process for performing CFD-based design and optimization of geometries.  Users set up design variables, objective functions, and constraints in a simple, easy to use input file and then modify the job run script to extract CFD results.  HeldenDesign then performs all the necessary CFD job submission, case management, and design variable evaluations until the constrained objective is met.

To handle modification of CFD meshes as part of the HeldenDesign process, HeldenMorph tool is also provided.  HeldenMorph is a simple input-file based command line executable which can robustly deform surface and volume meshes without the need for connectivity changes.  HeldenMorph’s geometry manipulation is also knowledge-based, meaning you do not have to manipulate multiple control points to make changes.  Users can directly modify standard geometric identities such as airfoil twist, thickness, camber, cross sectional area, etc.  Users can also interface with HeldenMorph with NASA’s CDISC to enable solution-based modification of the geometry.  Combined, HeldenMorph and HeldenDesign enable users to put CFD into the design process and improve the geometry automatically.  Special thanks to NASA for supporting development of HeldenDesign as part of an ongoing SBIR Phase II research contract.

Helden Aerospace was recently awarded a NASA Phase 2E SBIR to support further HeldenDesign and HeldenTool development as well as a NASA Phase I SBIR to investigate wall-modeled large eddy simulations (WMLES) mesh generation advances in HeldenMesh.  Key features planned for HeldenTool will include several geometry cleanup and manipulation advances, the capability to load CFD flow solutions and contour maps, as well a HeldenDesign mode for setting up HeldenMorph mesh manipulation.  Under the WMLES meshing investigation, surface quad and volume hex element support will be added to HeldenMesh to improve grid quality and solution efficiency in the boundary layer.  Key advances from this research have already begun to appear in the current release version of the HeldenMesh suite and will continue into the next year.