How a design with PropLab works.
The process comprises six steps, from the first input to the simulation results. The 1D design is completed within a few minutes. Results of steady analyses are usually available in the portal after one working day.
The calculation methods are described under Methodology. This page explains how to use PropLab.
Create an account.
Registration is free and requires only an e-mail address and a password. Designs, models and orders are stored in your account and remain accessible at any time.
The 1D design is free for up to two calculations per day.
Enter mission and constraints.
First, you enter the aircraft data (take-off mass, number of rotors, drag class) and the flight phases of the mission with speed and time share. Then come the constraints, e.g. the maximum diameter available on the arm. Motor data can optionally be added.
No prior knowledge of fluid mechanics is required.
Calculation and optimisation.
During the optimisation, PropLab evaluates hundreds of designs within a few minutes. The result is shown as the Pareto front, i.e. all sensible trade-offs between power, mass and noise instead of a single proposal.
A slider lets you narrow down the selection according to your priorities. Key figures and a top view are shown for each solution, and a design report is available for download as PDF.
Select a solution and decide on the next steps.
The selected solution is shown as a 3D model in the browser and can be inspected from all sides before you order anything. You then have three options:
- Buy CAD model – STEP and STL for immediate download, with hub, shaft bore and bolt circle to your dimensions.
- Order an analysis – flow and/or structural assessment by our engineers, CAD model included.
- Keep iterating – change the inputs and recalculate.
Order an analysis.
When ordering, you choose CFD, FEM or both and specify the flight states to be calculated, e.g. climb and cruise. The input forms are pre-filled with the values and results of the 1D calculation, which can be overwritten if required.
Orders can be placed directly online or via an automatically generated quotation. The acknowledgement of receipt is sent immediately by e-mail, after which our simulation engineers take over. For cruise, an additional unsteady calculation is recommended, for which you receive a separate quotation in advance.
Results in the portal.
Once the simulation and quality check are complete, you are notified by e-mail. The portal then provides the key figures of the simulation compared with the 1D prediction from step 03, the interactive 3D viewer with all flow layers and the technical report as PDF.
If you have any questions, you can also book a results discussion with one of our experts.
