This paper provides CIMdata’s perspective on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis; the motivations for its use, its value and future, and the importance for making CFD available to all engineers earlier in the product design/development lifecycle. It also describes Mentor Graphics’ FloEFD CFD analysis solution that is designed to provide product designers and engineers with direct access to CFD techniques directly in their design (CAD) environment. The following sections address:

• CFD Market Drivers—a brief review of the challenges that affect, and impacts from the early use of CFD within an overall Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) strategy
• Value of Earlier Use of CFD—a brief discussion of the benefits associated with early use of CFD
• Mentor Graphics’ Approach and CFD Solution—how FloEFD enables early use of CFD by designers
• Summary and Concluding Comments—a brief summary of the paper along with concluding remarks