digital tools and references
Capability: Accord version 1.3 allows users to visualize and monitor the decision-making process, assess individual contributions, and reach consensus among a group of participants. The software is based on Bayesian decision theoretics. It analyzes evaluation by a team of people and makes suggestions to them about how to proceed. The user doesn't see the mathematics behind the process, only a single screen interface. The software helps users visualize the decision-making process and assess the level of team consensus. It supports any problem that has multiple alternatives from which to choose, multiple criteria for evaluating the alternatives, and one or more decision-makers. The basis for evaluation can be qualitative or quantitative, and evaluation information can be uncertain, incomplete, and evolving. Examples of use include product design and vendor selection as well as purchasing, business funding, and personnel decisions.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, or NT.
Developer: Robust Decisions Inc., 800 Starker Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330; (541) 758-5088; www.robustdecisions.com.
Cost: $1,200; discount for quantity purchases.
Capability: The computational fluid dynamics program Fluent 6.0 includes the ability to use granular kinetic theory for Eulerian simulations on unstructured meshes to predict the behavior of solids in multiphase flows. The Eulerian granular model is intended for applications such as fluidized beds, risers, solids suspen-sion, and sedimentation.
With
the CFD program Fluent 6.0, users can model geometry for pumps, fans,
blowers and other rotating equipment using unstructured mesh.
Three-phase flows—gas to liquid to solid—can also be modeled. Postprocesser results use turbomachinery-specific coordinates in an unstructured environment. This gives users who model pumps, fans, blowers, and other rotating equipment the ability to model their geometry using unstructured mesh to examine meridional, pitchwise, and spanwise cuts. Dynamic load balancing and other features enable users to adapt the software to a variety of multiprocessor configurations.
Hardware: PC running Windows 98, 2000, or NT.
Developer: Fluent Inc., 10 Cavendish Court, Lebanon, NH 03766; (603) 643-2600; www.fluent.com.
Cost: Standard license allows two CFD processes for $27,000 annually.
Capability: DigXY allows users to extract data from a graph for which original graph-building data is not available or has been lost. Users can scan the graph, then display the scanned bitmap within the software application and click the mouse on the selected point to retrieve appropriate data. Data points are digitized on the bitmap image of the graph. Both logarithmic and linear axes are available. Graphs misaligned during scanning can be dealt with by rotating the mapping-region box to align with the bitmap graph axes. Digitized data points can be written to a text file or pasted directly into a spreadsheet.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, or XP.
Developers: Thunderhead Engineering, 1006 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502-5459; (785) 770-8511; www. thunderheadeng.com.
Cost: $30.
Capability: Sailing Aerodynamics: Appendage Standard, version 1.0, integrates airfoil analysis and planform analysis for a three-dimensional analysis of sailboat appendages. Applications include keels without bulbs, centerboards, and rudders. The software allows users to analyze and compare the aerodynamic performance of many designs in a short time. It computes side-force lift, vortex drag, profile drag, weight, center of gravity location as measured from the root leading edge, center of gravity as measured vertically from root location, and other performance parameters.
Hardware: PC running Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, or XT.
Developer: Patrick Hanley, P.O. Box 831514, Ocala, FL 34483: (352) 687-4466; hanley@hanleyinnovations.com; www.hanleyinnovations.com.
Cost: $845.
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