Cradle CFD

Cradle CFD (formerly Software Cradle, Osaka, Japan; acquired by Hexagon, now part of Cadence) provides computational fluid dynamics solvers for thermal management, aerodynamics, and fluid flow analysis. The suite includes two complementary solvers: scFLOW is a polyhedral unstructured solver for complex geometries with automatic meshing — ideal for external aerodynamics, underhood thermal analysis, rotating machinery, and industrial flow applications. scSTREAM is a structured Cartesian mesh solver optimized for electronics cooling, building HVAC, and data center thermal management where rapid setup and fast turnaround are priorities.

Both solvers feature automatic mesh generation that dramatically reduces the time from CAD import to solved results compared to traditional CFD tools. scFLOW’s polyhedral mesh handles complex automotive underhood geometries, external vehicle aerodynamics, and rotating fan/pump simulations with moving reference frame (MRF) and sliding mesh capabilities. scSTREAM’s structured Cartesian approach delivers sub-minute mesh generation for electronics thermal analysis, making it accessible to thermal engineers who are not CFD specialists. The built-in parametric study capability enables design-of-experiments (DOE) workflows without external scripting, enabling systematic design exploration directly within the solver environment.

For Indian engineering teams working on EV battery thermal management, power electronics cooling, HVAC system optimization, and underhood aerothermal analysis, Cradle CFD delivers production-quality results with meshing automation that lowers the expertise barrier for non-specialist CFD users. GSAS provides Cradle CFD training and application support covering meshing best practices, thermal management workflows, and solver setup for automotive and electronics cooling applications.

Solver Comparison

Capability	scSTREAM	scFLOW
Mesh Type	Structured Cartesian	Polyhedral Unstructured
Automatic Meshing	Included	Included
Electronics Cooling	Optimized	Included
External Aerodynamics	—	Included
Rotating Machinery (MRF / Sliding Mesh)	—	Included
Conjugate Heat Transfer	Included	Included
Transient / Unsteady Analysis	Included	Included
Parametric Study / DOE	Included	Included
Radiation Modeling	Included	Included
Pricing	Request Quote	Request Quote

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Key Applications

• Automotive: Underhood thermal management, external aerodynamics, HVAC cabin comfort, EV battery cooling
• Electronics: PCB thermal analysis, power electronics cooling, LED thermal management, data center airflow
• Industrial: Fan and pump performance, HVAC duct design, cleanroom airflow, building ventilation
• Aerospace: Environmental control system (ECS) analysis, avionics cooling, cabin airflow
• Energy: Heat exchanger design, solar thermal collector analysis, cooling tower performance