Concepts NREC 2025.2: The Agile Engineering System for Turbomachinery
Concepts NREC 2025.2 represents a major release of the industry’s most integrated software and service suite dedicated exclusively to the design, analysis, and manufacture of rotating fluid-handling machinery. This Agile Engineering System (AES) provides a seamless, end-to-end digital thread for engineers developing centrifugal and axial compressors, turbines, pumps, turbochargers, and expanders—from initial 1D thermodynamic design through detailed 3D blade geometry, structural/CFD analysis, and direct generation of 5-axis CNC machining code.
Core Philosophy: Streamlined Workflow from Fluid to Metal
The system’s power lies in its tightly coupled modules. Changes in a preliminary design automatically cascade through to the detailed geometry, analysis results, and manufacturing toolpaths. This closed-loop, iterative process—termed “Agile Engineering”—dramatically accelerates development cycles and optimizes overall machine performance, durability, and manufacturability.
Key Modules in the AES Workflow:
1. Preliminary Design & Meanline Analysis (COMPAL, AXIAL, PUMPAL)
-
Fast Sizing & Configuration: These modules perform 1D/2D meanline and streamline analyses to quickly size machines, select configurations, and predict performance maps (pressure ratio, efficiency, operating range).
-
Multi-Objective Optimization: Automated optimization routines find the best thermodynamic and geometric compromises to meet specific performance goals.
2. Detailed 3D Design & Geometry Generation (TURBO, FAN)
-
Blade Geometry Modeling: TURBO is the core 3D blade design environment. It creates highly controlled blade shapes (impellers, rotors, stators, inducer) using advanced geometric parameterization (spanwise distributions, blade angles, thickness).
-
3D Flow Path & Casing Design: Generates complete 3D fluid domains, hub/shroud contours, and diffuser geometry for analysis and manufacturing.
3. High-Fidelity Analysis Integration (CFD, FEA)
-
Built-in and Third-Party Solvers: The system generates ready-to-run meshes for Concepts NREC’s CFD/FEA solvers or exports clean geometry for use in high-fidelity external CAE packages (ANSYS CFX, Fluent, Mechanical).
4. Manufacturing & 5-Axis CNC Machining (MAX-PAC, CAM-PAC)
-
Direct CAM Toolpath Generation: This is a defining feature. From the final 3D blade model, the MAX-PAC module automatically generates efficient, collision-free 5-axis CNC toolpaths specifically optimized for complex bladed components.
-
Virtual Machining & Verification: Includes solid-model-based simulation to verify toolpaths and predict surface finish before committing to machining.
