Background
In 1983 computational fluid
dynamics was introduced as a field of study into
the School for Mechanical & Material
Engineering at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South
Africa. During these years fundamental research
went into techniques for solving general
industrial fluid flow and heat transfer problems.
Various academic codes were developed to assist
the research efforts. Increased research activities led
to the establishment of the Unit for
Computational Mechanics (UCM) in 1990. The aim of
the UCM, up to today, is to co-ordinate research
in the CFD field, to introduce CFD to industry
and to offer training in this field.
The Flo++ project
was initiated in 1992 and since then the code was
developed using technology produced mainly by the
research efforts at the UCM. The Softflo
corporation was established in 1993 to
commercialize Flo++ and to market and distribute
the software. The Softflo offices are situated in the city
of Potchefstroom where it maintains close ties
with the University and the Unit for
Computational Mechanics.
The development of Flo++ is managed by a team
of four specialists in the field of computational fluid dynamics. Today the Flo++ package is widely
used in industries throughout South Africa and
abroad. Apart from telephone and fax, Softflo
utilizes the Internet to stay in close contact
with users. Correspondence is kept up through
electronic mail, and an Internet site is
maintained to provide news and newest code
developments to users.
