Cradle Getting Started

Introduction

The Cradle suite of software is MSC's computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solution. This suite comprises of:

  • scFLOW
  • scSTREAM
  • SC/TETRA
  • HeatDesigner
  • PICLS

All of these products (with the exception of PICLS) have step-by-step tutorials to get you started. Once you are familiar with the user interface there are also application-specific exercises that you can do or use as a starting point for the simulation you want to perform.

The initial user interface when opening the Cradle products has the exact same button layout and workflow.

Where to get the files required to complete a tutorial

To access the tutorials files, you need to install the user example files. This is a quick and easy process but it is not that obvious if you don't know where to look.

The user example files are available on the MSC Software Download Center. If you do not know what the MSC Software Download Center is or how to access it, go to: Downloading Software From the MSC Download Center - SIMTEQ Engineering

Follow the following steps to download and install the user data:

Step 1: Login to the MSC Software Download Center (Once logged in the products page should open up).

Step 2: Select Cradle CFD

Step 3: Click on the latest cradle version available (Ex. Cradle CFD 2021).

Step 4: Download the user examples and follow the instalation steps.

License settings

When your company has MSC One licenses and not a standalone Cradle license, ensure that the license settings are set accordingly.

To access the license settings, from the Cradle Kicker, click on the Gear icon, followed by Settings > Preprocessor, Solver, Post Processor Settings as shown in the next image.

Ensure that the License type and License Mode are set to MSC or MSC One, otherwise, you might get a license error message.

Where to get the tutorials and exercises

Step 1: Open the Cradle product you wish to use. This will open what is referred to as the Kicker.

Step 2: Click on the user guide button to see the options available.

Step 3: Click on the Operation or Exercise option to open it. The content will open up in you default web browser.

Operation: This option gives you step-by-step instructions to complete a relatively simple CFD simulation. The intent of these tutorials are to familiarize yourself with the user interface and the general workflow that should be followed to setup a simulation. In version 2020 of scFLOW, you have this list of example problems to help you quickly learn how to use the user interface:

  1. Duct flow
  2. Flow around a glider
  3. Internal duct flow (transient)
  4. Restart analysis
  5. Transient analysis of only temperature field with a fixed flow field
  6. Steady-state analysis of free-surface flow around a ship hull
  7. Thermal flow analysis on a projector
  8. Transient flow analysis of a sirocco fan

Exercise: This option gives you instructions to complete specific types of simulations however the instructions given are not as detailed as the operation tutorials. It is assumed that the user has some knowledge about the user interface and how the workflow of the software works (obtained by following the operation examples).

Available exercise

In version 2020 of scFLOW, you have this list of specific example problems to help you learn how to use the software to solve such particular problems:

  1. Creating Additional Parts Required for Analysis
  2. Modifying Problematic Solid Data
  3. Simplification of Complex Geometries
  4. Turbulence Analysis
    • Backstep Flow
    • Naturally Separated Flow Using the SST Model
  5. Simple Diffusion of a Contaminant Gas in the Air
  6. Diffusion of 3-component Gas (Mixing Gas)
  7. Radiation (VF Method)
    • Radiation Analysis Using VF Method
    • Refraction Lens
  8. Radiation of High-Temperature Gas(FLUX Method)
  9. Compressible Flow Analysis
    • Shock Tube
    • Flows around a Wedge Shaped Object
  10. Natural Convection Analysis
    • Natural Convection around Heated Solid
    • Natural Convection inside a Cavity
  11. User Functions, Scripts
    • Non-Newtonian Flow
  12. Variable Table
    • Airflow Simulation with Temperature-Dependent Transport Coefficients
  13. Periodic Boundary - Flow in Annular Cascades
  14. Pressure Loss at the Confluence of two Currents
  15. Porous Media
  16. Simulation of Fins Using Porous Media
  17. Fan Model
    • Simple Wind Tunnel
    • Fan Model with Swirling Effect
    • Simplified Propeller Model
  18. Aerodynamics
  19. Flow Analysis around Fan Using Steady-State ALE
  20. Moving Element Function using Discontinuous Mesh
    • A Sample of Variable Table Applied to the Rotation Speed of Mixer
    • A Fluid Analysis of an Electric Fan by using the Combinational Moving Element Function
    • Frictional Heat Analysis of Solids
  21. Particle Tracking
    • Jet Flows with Particle Tracking Functions
    • Spray Model
    • Conversion from Particle to Humidity
    • Analysis of Sprayed Droplets and Liquid Film in an Inclined Circular Pipe
    • Analysis of Granular Material Motions by Discrete Element Method (DEM)
  22. Free Surface
    • Dam Break
    • Steady VOF
    • Phase Change in a Horizontal Tube
  23. Cavitating flow around a hydrofoil
  24. Humidity
    • Dew Condensation and Evaporation
    • Analysis for of Water Evaporation from Gas-Liquid Interface
  25. Heat Conduction Panel
    • Cooling Fin Analysis Using the Heat Conduction Panel Function
    • Moving Heat Conduction Panel
  26. Electric Current Analysis
    • Joule Heating
    • Electric Current Analysis using Heat Conduction Panel
  27. LES (Large Eddy Simulation)
    • Assessment of Aerodynamic Characteristics of a 3D Cylinder
    • Flow Analysis of a 3D Cylinder using DES
  28. Simple Chemical Reaction
  29. Overset Mesh
  30. 6 Degrees of Freedom Motion of Rigid Bodies
    • Automatic Calculation of Stroke Motion
    • Automatic Calculation of Rotational Motion
    • Floating Ball Simulation
    • Analysis of Collision Between Moving Objects
  31. Solidification/Melting Analysis
  32. Mapping Function
  33. Thermoregulation Model - Spot Air-conditioning
  34. Mixing Plane - Steady-state Analysis of a Diffuser Pump
  35. Electric Field Analysis - Analysis of a Charged Particle Passing between Electrodes
  36. Solar Radiation Analysis of Solar Panels
  37. Mesh Adaptation Analysis
    • Mesh Adaptation Analysis of a Duct Flow
    • Mesh Adaptation Analysis of Flows around a Wedge Shaped Object
  38. Steady VOF
  39. Aerodynamic Sound Analysis
    • Evaluation of Aerodynamic Sound Generated around a 3D Cylinder
    • Analysis of Aerodynamic Sound Generated from Two Cylinders
  40. Coupled Analysis Examples
    • 1D-3D Coupled Analysis of Intake and Exhaust Systems of Engines (GT-SUITE)
    • Motion Analysis of a Tank by Coupled Analysis with Adams Using FMI
    • Aeroacoustics(scFLOW2Actran)
      • Noise Analysis of an HVAC System
      • Noise Analysis of a Side Mirror
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THE EXCUSES:
I only used it for my studies, I only wanted to evaluate the software, I didn't use if for commercial purposes, I only installed it, but never used it... Unfortunately, no reason holds up in court for the possession of stolen goods.

THE FINE?
The full commercial purchase price of the software (for everything you had access to, whether or not it was even used!) 

Students (under- or post-graduate) also has no recourse since they can get access to free legal student versions, or the full commercial versions through their respective universities.
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