Flownex SE Boasts Multiple User Friendly Input Methods

Flownex SE gives users the freedom to specify property inputs in various user friendly ways, inputs range from the intuitive input property window for single and multiple component input specifications, to inputs specified in excel and imported into Flownex SE.

We will highlight some of these user friendly input techniques and highlight how they can increase network specification times and lead to faster and easier modelling.

Inputs Using the Properties Window

Below is a typical input page for the specification of component properties, the input window has various main categories that allow users to specify typical component properties such as component description, component geometry and component specific properties, users also has the option to allow or remove the component from the solver.

Databases and Calculators

When applicable built in libraries are available to aid the user during property specification. Some of the libraries available are; Roughness, K factor and pipe schedule databases and calculators.

• Roughness database provides user with lists of material roughness for specific conditions.

• The K factor calculator is a tool that allows users to seamlessly calculate and add the summation of the secondary losses to a component.

• Pipe schedule database provides comprehensive pipe schedule options to define standard pipe diameters and wall thickness.

Simultaneous Input Specification

It is also possible to simultaneously specify inputs for multiple components of the same type; this gives users the ability to specify properties for multiple components of a specific group in a single sheet. This aids in network troubleshooting and rapid property specification.

Multi-editor Window

The Multi-editor window allows users to specify properties for multiple components of the same type simultaneously in a grid defined dialog window, because the grid is cell based it is also possible to copy and paste data from and too excel.

 

 

Drag and Drop Inputs

Additional to the input window users can drag and drop properties onto the canvas; this will create a linked input box that allows users to specify the specific property directly on the canvas.

 

 

Visualisation Inputs

Visualisation inputs are also available to the user and allow inputs through, input output boxes, incremented track bars, toggle buttons and dial inputs.

 

 

Automatic Network Generator

An automatic network generator from an MS Excel spreadsheet provides a network importing facility which allows user to define network parameters in MS Excel and automatically generate Flownex networks from the specified cell data.

 

 

Flownex SE API (Application Programming Interface)

The Flownex SE automation Application Programming Interface (API) provides the functionality to integrate and automate Flownex SE from most existing Windows applications, e.g. Word, Excel, etc. 
Any application that allows scripting of Component Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) or ActiveX components can now integrate with Flownex SE.  The API is also accessible to any .Net aware application.
The API proves to be a versatile tool in the specification and retrieving of inputs and results of a network in a programmatic approach. The automation API provides the following high level functionality in terms of programmatic input specification:

• Retrieving and setting input values for components, tasks, links, data references and any other simulation entity in Flownex SE.
• Retrieving results for all simulation entities.
• Adjusting element and node parameters during transient runs in Flownex SE.
• The structure of the project can be modified; components, links and data references can be added or removed.
• Specification of simulation duration and type of simulation (design, sensitivity analysis, optimize, transient, steady state).

Additional functionality of the API

• Start up and close Flownex SE.
• Open, save and close projects.
• Solve Flownex SE projects.