AirfoilMesh

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A Glyph script for generating NACA 4-series airfoil geometries and boundary layer meshes.

Generating or Importing Geometry

This script provides a way to generate NACA 4-Series airfoil geometries within Pointwise without relying on external coordinate files. Simply input the 4 digits defining a NACA 4-Series airfoil and click CREATE. Additionally, the script supports the ability to import external airfoil coordinates from a file. Supported formats are Segment, Selig, Lednicer and IGES. Since version 3, the format can be automatically detected, and the airfoil may initially have a sharp trailing edge. Note that sharp trailing edges must be blunted, and an option is presented to do that automatically base on the chord length.

NACA 4-Series Geometry Description

• The 1st digit is the maximum camber
• The 2nd digit is the maximum camber location
• The 3rd and 4th digits represent the maximum thickness

Notes

• All digits are a percentage of the chord length
• Maximum thickness occurs at 30% of the chord
• Chord length fixed to a unit length
• All airfoils have a flat trailing edge

Example, NACA 2412

• Maximum camber is 2% of the chord
• Maximum camber located at 40% of the chord
• Maximum thickness is 12% of the chord (located at 30% of the chord)

Boundary Layer Meshing

This script also automates the mesh generation process within Pointwise by asking the user to provide common boundary layer parameters. Assuming a unit length for the airfoil, the parameters are factors of the chord length. Once the boundary layer parameters have been selected, click MESH to generate a high quality structured O-grid topology using Pointwise's normal hyperbolic extrusion tool. Note that while the user has the ability to adjust common boundary layer parameters, more advanced parameters can be found within the attached Glyph script.

Boundary layer parameters

• Initial cell height in the boundary layer
• Cell growth/inflation rate
• The maximum boundary layer distance
• The number of points around the airfoil, excluding the trailing edge

Disclaimer

This file is licensed under the Cadence Public License Version 1.0 (the "License"), a copy of which is found in the LICENSE file, and is distributed "AS IS." TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, CADENCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND IN NO EVENT SHALL BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO USE OF THIS FILE. Please see the License for the full text of applicable terms.