CFD and CAD software in F1
Posted: 04 Jan 2024, 00:11
What CFD and CAD software use F1 teams, is it known which team uses which program ?
No F1 team is using Solidworks. I can't think any teams will be using Catia V5 over V6 either, though I've seen some CAD from the Ferrari road dept using V5 still so maybe the F1 team is still on that.EsafaliTakru wrote: ↑04 Jan 2024, 14:13In F1, the exact software used by specific teams tends to be kept under wraps, but here's what we know:
Common CFD Software:
ANSYS Fluent: Widely used for its accuracy and robustness.
STAR-CCM+: Popular for its user-friendly interface and ease of customization.
OpenFOAM: Open-source option gaining traction for its flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Common CAD Software:
CATIA V5: Industry standard for complex shapes and high-precision design.
NX: Powerful platform for design, simulation, and manufacturing.
SolidWorks: Popular choice for smaller teams and individual engineers due to its ease of use.
Specific Teams:
Red Bull: Reportedly uses NX heavily.
Mercedes: Some speculate they use CATIA V5.
Software is just one tool in the F1 design process. Teams often develop in-house tools and customize existing software to their specific needs.
Hopefully, this gives you a general idea of the landscape!
As a SWX user i can only +1. SWX isn't meant for automotive applications, but better suited for general mechanical engineering. It's quite limited when it comes to (freeform) surfacing. CATIA, NX are both used in the automotive industry though. AFAIK german car makers like BMW, VAG and Merceds use CATIA, while Opel uses (or used) NX in the past.