CAESES FRIENDSHIP 2024: Comprehensive Simulation-Driven Design & CFD Optimization Platform

CAESES FRIENDSHIP 2024 (formerly known as FRIENDSHIP-Framework) is a comprehensive software platform for simulation-driven design, providing a complete CAD/CAE environment that facilitates the optimization of complex flow-exposed surfaces . The software is developed by FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS AG, a spin-off from the Technical University Berlin founded in 2001, and is now distributed through the Altair Partner Alliance .

Unlike traditional CAD tools, CAESES specializes in the parametric modeling of complex free-form surfaces, enabling engineers to explore thousands of design variations in an automated workflow. It acts as a “do-it-yourself optimization toolkit” that interfaces seamlessly with virtually any external CFD solver (including Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, ANSYS CFX, SHIPFLOW, XFlow, and AirShaper) .

The software’s core strength lies in its simulation-ready variable CAD approach: models are built with intelligent parameters that allow instant geometry variation. When coupled with CFD simulations, CAESES automates the entire design loop—geometry generation, meshing, simulation, and result extraction—enabling engineers to find optimal shapes faster and with greater confidence

???? Primary Users

This professional simulation-driven design software is designed for:

• Naval Architects & Marine Engineers performing hull form optimization, resistance reduction, and seakeeping analysis

• Propeller & Pump Designers improving cavitation behavior, open-water efficiency, and energy savings 

• Mechanical Engineers & CFD Analysts optimizing complex geometries (turbomachinery, heat sinks, aerodynamic bodies)

• Turbomachinery & Aerospace Engineers designing blades, ducts, manifolds, and engine components 

• Research & Development Teams in shipbuilding, offshore, energy, and automotive sectors

⚡ Key Features & Capabilities

???? Parametric Modeling (Simulation-Ready Variable CAD)

Core Technology:

• Parameter-Based Shape Definition: Define complex free-form surfaces using a small set of intelligent parameters instead of hundreds of manual control points

• MetaSurface & Sweep Surface: Specialized surface objects that combine parameter-based shape definitions with user-specified basic curves for automatic geometry generation 

• Feature-Based Modeling: Dedicated feature set for rapid generation of industry-relevant geometries (bulbous bows, ducts, rudders, shaft lines, propeller blades)

• CAD Kernel Integration: Works directly with the ACIS kernel; supports geometry exchange via IGES, STEP, and DXF

Key Parametric Modeling Advantages:

• Reduces the number of necessary parameters to describe complex shapes, saving time in optimization 

• Considers shape details and features that couldn’t be handled before

• Runs large-scale parameter studies without robustness issues when generating geometry variants 

???? Geometry Morphing & Deformation

Morphing Toolbox:

• Flexible, easy-to-use morphing methods for modifying imported geometries

• Modify existing designs without rebuilding from scratch

• Suitable for modifying scanned geometries or legacy CAD models 

???? Design Space Exploration & Optimization

Design of Experiments (DoE):

• Intelligent sampling strategies to explore the design space efficiently

• Sobol sequence for optimal space-filling designs 

Optimization Algorithms:

• Deterministic searches

• Surrogate model-based optimization

• Global strategies (genetic algorithms, particle swarm)

• Gradient-based optimization for local refinement

Surrogate Modeling:

• Automated creation of response surfaces (metamodels) from simulation results

• Dramatically reduces computational cost by replacing expensive CFD evaluations with fast approximations

• Enables optimization runs in minutes instead of days 

???? Neural Network & AI Integration

• Supports using parameterized data for training Neural Networks

• AI-assisted design space exploration

• Machine learning integration for performance prediction 

???? Simulation Interfacing (CFD Integration)

Solver Agnostic: Open, user-configurable interface to couple with arbitrary external simulation tools 

Supported CFD Solvers (Examples):