SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is a fluid flow analysis tool. It lets engineers and designers test how liquids and gases behave inside or around their products – before building a physical prototype.

To run a study, you set up conditions like fluid type, inlet speed, pressure, and temperature. The software then calculates how the fluid moves through or around your design, and shows results like flow speed, pressure, temperature, and flow paths. This helps teams find problems – such as blocked airflow, overheating, or pressure loss – and fix them during the design phase, saving time and money.

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation covers a wide range of fluid and thermal studies, including:

• Internal flow analysis – Tests how fluid moves through enclosed spaces like pipes, ducts, valves, and housings.
• External flow analysis – Tests how air or other fluids move around the outside of a product, useful for aerodynamics and wind effects.
• Heat transfer analysis – Models how heat moves through solids and fluids at the same time, using convection, conduction, and radiation.
• Rotating equipment analysis – Tests flow caused by spinning parts like fans, impellers, blowers, and pumps.
• Free surface simulation – Tracks where two non-mixing fluids meet, like water and air.
• Particle and tracer studies – Follows solid particles or pollutants through the flow.
• Design optimisation – Runs automated studies to test different designs and find the best-performing option.

Together, these tools cover everything from simple airflow checks to detailed thermal and fluid system analysis.

Without simulation, teams often need to build several physical prototypes to test how fluids flow, how well cooling works, and where pressure builds up. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation lets engineers run these same tests on their 3D models – virtually. By finding problems like poor airflow, overheating, or pressure loss during the design phase, teams can make fixes before any parts are manufactured. This means fewer prototype rounds, lower material costs, and shorter development timelines.

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is the core product. It handles internal and external flow analysis, heat transfer, rotating equipment, free surface modelling, and design studies.

The HVAC Module is an optional add-on that builds on top of Flow Simulation. It adds tools made specifically for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work – including advanced radiation modelling for materials like glass, tracer studies for tracking pollutants and contaminants, human comfort measurements (such as temperature comfort and draft), air quality indices, and an expanded database of HVAC components and building materials.

The Electronics Cooling Module is an optional add-on for Flow Simulation, built for engineers who design electronic products. It adds tools for modelling printed circuit boards (PCBs) with realistic heat flow, chip package representations, heat pipes, thermoelectric coolers, and the heat generated by electric current (Joule heating). It also comes with an expanded database of thermal data for common electronic parts. This module is a good fit for teams working on thermal management for devices like servers, consumer electronics, or any product where keeping components cool is critical.

No. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is designed for everyday engineers and designers who already work in SOLIDWORKS. A step-by-step setup wizard guides you through the process of defining your fluid, setting boundary conditions, and choosing what results to track. The software handles meshing and turbulence modelling automatically. While knowing the basics of fluid flow and heat transfer will help you read results more confidently, you do not need specialist CFD training to get started.

Yes. You can send pressure and temperature results from Flow Simulation directly into SOLIDWORKS Simulation for structural analysis. This lets you see how fluid forces and heat affect the strength and shape of your parts. For example, if a pipe carries hot, pressurised fluid, you can first simulate the flow to get temperature and pressure data, then use that data to check whether the pipe can handle the load. This is especially useful for pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and piping systems.

Flow Simulation works with many different fluid types, including regular gases (like air), real gases, standard liquids (like water), compressible liquids, non-Newtonian fluids (like oil, blood, or sauce), and steam. The software comes with a built-in database of common fluids, and you can add your own custom fluids if needed. It also supports studies that involve more than one type of fluid at the same time.

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is used across many industries. Common examples include automotive (aerodynamics, engine cooling, cabin airflow), electronics (thermal management, device cooling), industrial equipment (pumps, valves, compressors), consumer products (appliance airflow, heating), HVAC and building services (duct design, indoor comfort), aerospace (aerodynamics, internal cooling), and medical devices (fluid delivery, equipment cooling). Any product where fluid flow, airflow, or heat transfer matters can benefit from this tool.

Yes. SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation needs its own licence on top of a SOLIDWORKS CAD licence. It works with all levels of SOLIDWORKS – Standard, Professional, and Premium. The HVAC Module and Electronics Cooling Module are additional add-ons that require Flow Simulation as a starting point. Flow Simulation is available as a perpetual licence (with a subscription for updates and support) or as a term licence (paid on a set schedule). Contact MECAD Systems for pricing and licensing details.