Propeller Freeform

To make sure the propeller shape grows uniformly, you position two control points on the trailing edge and leading edge of the propeller blade. You then pattern the blade around the propeller hub. This produces a propeller system with three identical blades positioned equidistantly around the propeller hub.

  1. Right-click the Body Groups > Propeller > Propeller Blade 2 node and select Show Only.
  2. To freeform the propeller blade surface:
    1. In the Visualization toolbar, click (Save-Restore-Select Views) and select Views > +Z > Up +Y.


    2. Hold the Ctrl key.
    3. Double-click the tip face and then further select the propeller body face.


    4. Right-click one of the selected faces and select Freeform Surface.
    5. Click the (Create Point) and place two points on the leading and trailing edges of the blade as shown below:


      When you position the control points on the propeller surface, make sure that you place the points as close to the leading and trailing edges of the blade as possible.

    6. Multi-select both points and set the following properties:
      Property Setting
      Coordinate System Natural
      Z Displacement -0.05

      The natural coordinate system positions the axis triad in the natural direction of the surface. This means you can adjust the shape of the body with respect to the surface direction in which the freeform point is positioned. By using both freeform points in this instance you can grow the surface uniformly in all directions. In this case, make the surface smaller.

    7. Select FreeformPoint 1 and move the red arrow until x displacement in the Freeform Surface dialog reads around 0.05.
    8. Select FreeformPoint 2 and move the red arrow until x displacement in the Freeform Surface dialog reads around -0.05.
    9. Click OK.
  3. Right-click anywhere in the 3D-CAD View 1 scene and select Restore > Hidden Bodies.
  4. Multi-select Body Groups > Propeller > Propeller Blade 1 and Propeller Blade 3.
  5. Right-click one of the selected nodes and select Delete.
  6. In the Delete Bodies dialog click OK.
  7. To pattern the modified blade:
    1. In the Visualization toolbar, click (Save-Restore-Select Views) and select Views > +X > Up +Z
    2. In the 3D-CAD View 1 scene, select the Propeller Hub face, as shown below:


    3. Right-click the selected face and select Reference Geometry > Axis from Revolved Entity.
    4. In the Axis From Revolved Entity dialog, click OK.
      Simcenter STAR-CCM+ specifies a new reference axis. The new reference axis allows you to pattern the propeller blade at equal distances around the propeller hub. Without this axis you would have to reposition the blades individually on the propeller hub surface.
    5. Right-click the Body Groups > Propeller > Propeller Blade 2 node and select Pattern > Circular Pattern.
    6. In the Body Circular Pattern dialog, set the following properties :
      Property Setting
      Axis Type Reference Axis
      Axis 1
      Number of Instances 3.0
    7. Click OK.


  8. Group the four most recent features, as shown below:


  9. Rename Features Group to Propeller.
    The final aircraft geometry looks as follows:

  10. Click Close 3D-CAD and save the simulation.