Support & Product Information
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is SoftInWay’s mission?
SoftInWay’s mission is to empower engineers and organizations with advanced software, engineering expertise, and education for turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design. We aim to accelerate innovation by providing integrated tools that bridge concept development, detailed design, system simulation, and real-world validation across energy and propulsion industries.
Where is SoftInWay headquartered?
SoftInWay is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, serving customers worldwide.
Does SoftInWay offer webinars, trainings, or seminars?
Yes. SoftInWay regularly hosts technical webinars, workshops, and hybrid training events that cover turbomachinery, thermal-fluid design, and rotor dynamics topics, as well as AxSTREAM software capabilities and industry best practices. Upcoming events are listed on the Events page of our website.
How can I contact SoftInWay?
You can contact SoftInWay by emailing info@softinway.com or by submitting a request through the Contact page on our website.
How can I book a software demonstration?
You can request a personalized AxSTREAM software demonstration by completing the Demo Request form on our website. A technical specialist will tailor the demo to your application and workflow.
Do I need consulting services to use AxSTREAM?
No. AxSTREAM is a standalone software platform and does not require consulting services to use. However, SoftInWay offers engineering consulting as an optional service for organizations that want additional support with complex projects, accelerated timelines, validation studies, or workflow development alongside their software usage.
Does SoftInWay provide technical support and training?
Yes. SoftInWay provides technical support, onboarding assistance, and training resources to help users be successful with AxSTREAM and related tools. This includes direct technical support, structured training sessions, webinars, documentation, and access to SoftInWay Turbomachinery University (STU) for self-paced and instructor-led learning.
Does SoftInWay support customers globally?
Yes. SoftInWay works with customers worldwide and supports international teams across multiple regions. With a 100+ person engineering team, SoftInWay provides responsive training, technical support, and consulting services across time zones, ensuring customers receive timely assistance wherever they are located.
Software Solution – AxSTREAM Platform
What is AxSTREAM?
AxSTREAM is a comprehensive design, analysis, optimization, and system simulation platform for turbomachinery and thermal-fluid systems. It enables engineers to design and analyze turbines, compressors, pumps, fans, full energy or propulsion systems, as well as rotor dynamics and bearing behavior, within a single, integrated environment.
What differentiates AxSTREAM from other turbomachinery design software?
AxSTREAM uniquely combines:
- Component-level design (generative design, meanline design, flow path, blade profiling)
- System-level simulation (complete energy and propulsion systems)
- Rotor dynamics and bearing design, and analysis
- Integrated optimization and generative design
- Seamless CAD/CAE connectivity
Unlike fragmented toolchains, AxSTREAM provides a physics-based, end-to-end workflow that reduces development time while improving performance, reliability, and efficiency.
Does AxSTREAM support full system simulation or only individual components?
AxSTREAM supports both. Engineers can design individual components, such as turbines, compressors, pumps, fans, bearings, and rotors, and also model complete systems, including gas turbines, steam and combined cycles, propulsion systems, and thermal-fluid networks with real operating conditions and constraints.
Which modules are included in the AxSTREAM suite?
The AxSTREAM suite includes modules for:
System-level design & simulation
- AxSTREAM System Simulation — Integrated 0D-1D system modeling for complete thermal-fluid systems and thermodynamic cycles.
Generative Preliminary Design
- Generative Preliminary Design — Used to explore and define feasible turbomachinery concepts at the earliest stages of development. This generative, constraint-driven approach automatically evaluates large design spaces, assessing performance, loading, and geometric feasibility, so engineers can identify optimal flow path solutions before committing to detailed geometry or high-fidelity analysis.
Meanline & Streamline Analysis
- 1D Meanline/2D Streamline Solver — Perform meanline and streamline flow analysis to assess performance, velocity triangles, losses, and secondary flows early in design.
Mapping & Parametric Studies
- AxMAP — Create performance maps and parametric studies for operational and geometric variations.
- AxPLAN — Design of Experiments study module for automated parametric exploration and optimization.
3D Blade & Geometry Tools
- Profiling & 3D Blade Design — Create and modify 3D blade airfoils and meridional shapes with interactive geometry tools.
- AxSLICE — Reverse engineering module to extract profile geometry from 3D blade models or scans.
CFD & Structural Analysis
- AxCFD — 2D/3D CFD analysis within blade passages or full flow paths.
- AxSTRESS — 3D finite element structural analysis for blades and attachments (static, modal, harmonic, hot-to-cold/cold-to-hot).
Rotor & Bearing Analysis
- Rotor Dynamics — Lateral and torsional rotor dynamics analysis, including natural frequencies, stability, unbalance response, critical speeds, and mode shapes across operating conditions.
- Bearing — Comprehensive modeling of bearing performance and mechanical characteristics, including journal fluid film hydrodynamic and hydrostatic bearings (plain, grooved, pressure dam, multilobe, fixed, flexural, and tilting pad), gas film bearings (including herringbone and bump-foil designs), rolling element bearings, thrust bearings (fixed pad, tilting pad, and Kingsbury-type), with support for real gas effects where applicable.
Supporting Tools
- Fluid Tool Box — Tools for fluid property calculations and custom fluid creation.
Specialized Bundles
- AxSTREAM.SPACE — A bundle focused on liquid rocket engine and turbopump design and optimization for space applications.
Modules can be licensed individually or as part of bundled solutions.
Does AxSTREAM include built-in CFD and FEA?
Yes. AxSTREAM includes built-in CFD and FEA capabilities that support both preliminary and detailed turbomachinery design, allowing engineers to analyze aerodynamic, thermal, and structural behavior directly within the AxSTREAM environment. When higher-fidelity or specialized analysis is needed, AxSTREAM geometries can be exported directly to partner tools such as Ansys and Siemens, enabling a seamless transition for CFD or FEA validation without duplicating design effort.
Can AxSTREAM integrate with other CAD and CAE tools?
Yes. AxSTREAM exports geometry compatible with major CAD and CAE platforms, including Siemens NX, ANSYS, SolidWorks, STAR-CCM+, and other industry-standard tools.
What types of turbomachines does AxSTREAM support?
AxSTREAM supports a wide range of machines, including:
- Axial, radial, and mixed-flow compressors
- Gas, steam, hydrogen, sCO2, propellants, fluids, mixtures, and organic fluid turbines
- Pumps and fans
- Turboexpanders, turbopumps, and custom machines
It is used across aerospace, energy, industrial, automotive, and research applications.
Is AxSTREAM developed in-house?
Yes. AxSTREAM is fully developed and maintained in-house by SoftInWay, allowing us to work closely with customers to incorporate feature requests and continuously enhance the platform. New capabilities and improvements are added on a regular, quarterly basis to ensure AxSTREAM evolves in step with industry demands and real-world engineering needs.
Is AxSTREAM available for academic use?
Yes. AxSTREAM EDU offers academic and student licenses tailored for teaching, learning, and research environments.
What are the system requirements for AxSTREAM?
AxSTREAM runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11. For professional use, 16 GB RAM or more and a multi-core processor are recommended to ensure optimal performance, especially for optimization and system simulations.
Software Solutions – Siemens Tools
Does SoftInWay also sell Siemens software?
Yes. SoftInWay is a certified Gold Reseller of Siemens Simcenter 3D, STAR-CCM+, NX CAD, NX CAM, and Teamcenter PLM, providing integrated software solutions from concept through manufacturing.
How does SoftInWay support high-fidelity validation of turbomachinery and thermal-fluid designs?
SoftInWay enables high-fidelity multiphysics validation using Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Engineers can analyze fluid flow, heat transfer, turbulence, rotating machinery behavior, conjugate heat transfer, and fluid-structure interaction under realistic operating conditions, helping validate performance and reduce risk before physical testing.
Can SoftInWay support detailed structural, vibration, and fatigue analysis?
Yes. Using Simcenter 3D, SoftInWay supports advanced structural and mechanical simulation including stress, vibration, modal, harmonic, fatigue, acoustics, thermal response, and motion analysis. These capabilities are commonly used to validate blades, rotors, casings, and assemblies defined in AxSTREAM.
How does SoftInWay help reduce simulation setup time and manual rework?
SoftInWay’s workflows emphasize automation and geometry associativity across AxSTREAM, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Simcenter 3D, and NX CAD. By maintaining links between design geometry, simulation models, and updates, engineers can minimize manual cleanup, meshing rework, and repetitive solver setup, significantly reducing iteration time.
Can these tools handle complex, coupled multiphysics problems?
Yes. Through Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter 3D, SoftInWay supports coupled multiphysics simulation including fluid flow, heat transfer, combustion, phase change, rotating machinery motion, and structural response. These unified workflows allow engineers to represent real-world operating conditions for complex systems.
How does SoftInWay support optimization and design exploration?
SoftInWay enables design exploration and optimization by combining AxSTREAM’s preliminary and system-level design capabilities with detailed simulation in STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter 3D. Engineers can evaluate design variations, study sensitivities, and refine geometry using automated, repeatable workflows.
Can SoftInWay support manufacturing readiness and additive manufacturing considerations?
Yes. Using Simcenter 3D and NX CAD, SoftInWay supports manufacturing-aware design and validation, including additive manufacturing simulation, residual stress and distortion prediction, composite layup analysis, and evaluation of forming, forging, and welding effects. This helps identify manufacturability risks early in development.
How does SoftInWay support production-ready CAD and assemblies?
SoftInWay uses NX CAD to refine AxSTREAM-generated geometry into precise, production-ready components and assemblies. Engineers can
validate fit and interfaces, add mechanical features, and generate drawings, tolerances, and documentation required for manufacturing handoff.
How does SoftInWay help manage engineering data across the product lifecycle?
SoftInWay provides full product lifecycle management through Teamcenter PLM, enabling centralized control of CAD, CAE, simulation, requirements, and manufacturing data. This ensures version control, traceability, and consistency from early concept through production and service.
Can SoftInWay support collaboration across large or distributed teams?
Yes. With Teamcenter PLM and integrated Siemens tools, SoftInWay supports secure, role-based collaboration across engineering, simulation, manufacturing, and supplier teams, helping eliminate errors caused by disconnected files or outdated data.
How do these tools integrate with AxSTREAM?
AxSTREAM serves as the foundation for system-level modeling, turbomachinery design, and early geometry generation. STAR-CCM+, Simcenter 3D, NX CAD, and Teamcenter extend that foundation into detailed CFD, structural validation, CAD refinement, optimization, and lifecycle management, creating a continuous digital thread from concept to commercialization.
Can SoftInWay help define and implement these workflows?
Yes. In addition to software, SoftInWay provides engineering consulting, workflow definition, and implementation support to help organizations integrate AxSTREAM and Siemens tools into their existing processes and adopt best practices efficiently.
Which industries benefit from these capabilities?
SoftInWay’s integrated AxSTREAM and Siemens toolset is commonly used in aerospace and propulsion, energy and power generation, oil and gas, automotive and industrial machinery, and research and advanced development.
SoftInWay AI Optimization Tools
What is AxSTREAM AI?
AxSTREAM AI is SoftInWay’s AI-powered engineering environment designed to reduce modeling friction, accelerate early-stage analysis, and help engineers reach confident design decisions sooner.
It supports turbomachinery and system-level modeling by helping engineers define design intent, constraints, and operating conditions, then efficiently explore viable design configurations, trade spaces, and performance tradeoffs. AxSTREAM AI is purpose-built for early-stage design exploration, feasibility studies, and concept development, before committing time and resources to high-fidelity CFD or testing.
How is AxSTREAM AI used?
AxSTREAM AI enables engineers to:
- Accelerate early-stage design exploration and trade studies
- Generate and evaluate candidate designs based on defined constraints
- Identify promising configurations earlier in the development process
- Assess performance and cost drivers sooner
- Reduce manual setup and iteration time
AxSTREAM AI is designed to support real engineering decisions—not automate them away.
Does AxSTREAM AI replace physics-based engineering models?
No. AxSTREAM AI works alongside AxSTREAM’s established physics-based solvers and engineering methods.
All results remain transparent, traceable, and grounded in turbomachinery and thermal-fluid physics. AI is used to assist design exploration, iteration, and decision support, not to replace physics-based modeling or engineering judgment.
How does AxSTREAM AI integrate into AxSTREAM workflows?
AxSTREAM AI can be used either:
- As a standalone AI-powered modeling and design exploration environment, or
- Embedded directly within AxSTREAM to support system-level and turbomachinery workflows
This flexibility allows engineers to move efficiently from concept definition to validated system behavior while maintaining continuity with existing AxSTREAM workflows and models.
How does AxSTREAM AI fit into the overall design workflow?
AxSTREAM AI enhances the workflow by:
- Reducing time spent searching for information or guidance
- Accelerating design exploration and optimization
- Helping engineers focus more on engineering decisions and less on manual setup
It complements AxSTREAM’s existing capabilities without disrupting established workflows.
Is AxSTREAM AI suitable for industrial use and engineering best practices?
Yes. AxSTREAM AI is designed for professional engineering use across propulsion, energy, industrial, and research applications.
It is developed in alignment with SoftInWay’s platform philosophy:
- Physics-aware and workflow-aware intelligence
- Full visibility into assumptions, inputs, and results
- Engineer-driven decision-making
- No black-box automation
AxSTREAM AI strengthens, rather than replaces, established turbomachinery and system modeling best practices.
Who is Peter?
Peter is SoftInWay’s AI workmate designed to assist engineers directly within the AxSTREAM environment. He provides workflow-aware, agentic assistance to help engineers work more efficiently while remaining fully in control of inputs, assumptions, and results.
How does Peter assist engineers?
Peter can help with:
- Navigating AxSTREAM workflows and modules
- Configuring system models and components
- Modifying model elements and parameters
- Executing analysis steps
- Interpreting results and performance metrics
- Finding relevant tools, documentation, and guidance
Peter reduces manual effort and friction while preserving engineering transparency and control.
Is Peter a replacement for technical support or training?
No. Peter is designed to augment, not overtake, SoftInWay’s engineering support and training services.
He helps engineers complete day-to-day tasks faster and find answers more efficiently, while deeper technical support, expert guidance, and formal training remain fully available through SoftInWay.
Engineering Services
What engineering services does SoftInWay offer?
SoftInWay provides advanced engineering consulting services in:
- Complete, end-to-end turbomachinery and thermal-fluid design
- Performance analysis and optimization
- Retrofit and upgrade studies
- Digital twin and digital sibling design
- R&D and concept development
- System simulation and validation
- Rotor dynamics and bearing analysis
- Prototyping, testing, and manufacturing support
Our services complement AxSTREAM software with real-world engineering expertise
Which industries does SoftInWay serve?
SoftInWay works with organizations across:
- Aerospace and propulsion
- Space Exploration
- Appliance & medical devices
- Government & defense
- HVAC & Refrigeration
- Power Generation
- Renewable Energy
- Oil & gas
- Transportation
- Industrial manufacturing
- Academia and research institutions
Can customers request new features or software customizations?
Yes. SoftInWay welcomes customer feedback and feature requests, which help inform the ongoing development of AxSTREAM and related solutions. In addition, SoftInWay offers software customization and workflow tailoring for organizations with specific technical, integration, or process requirements, allowing the software to better align with unique engineering workflows and project needs.
Can SoftInWay help with prototyping?
Yes. SoftInWay supports clients from feasibility studies and preliminary design through detailed engineering, prototyping, and validation.
Does SoftInWay work on government or public sector contracts?
Yes. SoftInWay works with government agencies, national laboratories, and public sector organizations, as well as contractors supporting government-funded programs. Our software, engineering consulting, and training services are used in applications that require high technical rigor, controlled workflows, and compliance with program-specific requirements. SoftInWay can support engagements with appropriate contracting structures, security considerations, and data handling practices as required.
How can I request an engineering consultation?
You can request a consultation by contacting info@softinway.com or submitting an inquiry through the website.
Educational Software Programs – AxSTREAM EDU
What is AxSTREAM EDU?
AxSTREAM EDU is an educational platform providing students, educators, and researchers with access to professional-grade tools for turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design, along with structured learning materials.
Who can use AxSTREAM EDU?
AxSTREAM EDU is designed for:
- Universities, technical institutes, and rocketry clubs
- Students and educators
- Research labs and academic projects
What licenses are available in AxSTREAM EDU?
AxSTREAM EDU offers:
- Educational licenses for teaching and coursework
- Research licenses for advanced academic and funded research projects
Does AxSTREAM EDU include certification?
Yes. Students can earn certifications by completing guided projects, assessments, and coursework within the platform.
Does SoftInWay support student teams, rocketry clubs, and student competitions?
Yes. SoftInWay supports student teams, rocketry clubs, and student competitions worldwide by providing access to educational software, technical guidance, training resources, and mentorship. This support helps students apply professional-grade tools to real-world design challenges in areas such as turbomachinery, propulsion, and thermal-fluid systems.
What support resources are available?
AxSTREAM EDU users receive access to:
- Learning materials and tutorials
- Technical documentation
- Instructor and student support resources
- Community and training content
Is cloud access available?
Yes. AxSTREAM EDU can be deployed in cloud-based environments, enabling remote learning and collaboration.
SoftInWay Turbomachinery University (STU)
What is SoftInWay Turbomachinery University?
SoftInWay Turbomachinery University (STU) is an e-learning platform offering structured courses in turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design using AxSTREAM.
What topics and offerings are available through SoftInWay Turbomachinery University (STU)?
SoftInWay Turbomachinery University (STU) offers a full range of educational and training options focused on turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design. Offerings include self-paced online courses, live online instructor-led courses, and classroom-based training covering turbines, compressors, pumps, fans, system-level modeling, and AxSTREAM workflows. STU also provides access to free technical webinars, a calendar of upcoming courses, and the ability to request custom courses tailored to specific team or organizational needs. In addition, STU serves as a hub for technical support resources and learning materials to help users build and apply practical engineering expertise.
Are STU accounts free to set up?
Yes. Creating an STU account is free. A free account provides access to select educational content, recorded webinars, and learning resources. Additional courses, certifications, or software-related training may require enrollment or licensing depending on the program.
Does STU provide access to webinars?
Yes. STU provides access to recorded SoftInWay webinars and technical sessions. This allows users to watch past webinars on turbomachinery design, AxSTREAM workflows, and industry topics on demand, even if they were unable to attend the live event.
Do participants receive certification?
Yes. Participants receive an official SoftInWay certificate upon successful course completion.
Can companies enroll multiple engineers?
Yes. Corporate training packages are available for organizations seeking group access and customized learning paths.
Software Solutions – Licensing
What types of licenses does SoftInWay offer?
SoftInWay offers perpetual, short-term, annual, and Power Token–based licenses, allowing flexibility based on team size and workflow.
What are Power Tokens?
Power Tokens are a flexible licensing model that allows teams to share access to AxSTREAM modules from a common token pool, reducing licensing costs while maximizing utilization.
Can I transfer a license to another machine or user?
Yes. Licenses can be rehosted or transferred upon request, in accordance with your license agreement.
Do I need internet access to use AxSTREAM?
Internet access is required for initial activation and cloud licensing, but local or floating licenses do not require continuous internet access for daily use.
How long are licenses valid?
Licenses are typically annual or multi-year, with perpetual options available for select modules or packages.
How do I renew or upgrade my license?
You can renew or expand your license by contacting your SoftInWay account manager or our sales team.
Are academic licenses available?
Yes. AxSTREAM EDU provides discounted licenses for universities, labs, and students.
AxSTREAM in Engineering Design
How does AxSTREAM fit into an engineering design workflow?
AxSTREAM is designed to support engineers across the entire development lifecycle, from early concept and feasibility studies through detailed design, optimization, and system-level evaluation. It enables fast exploration of design spaces early on, while maintaining consistency and traceability as designs mature and integrate into downstream analysis and validation workflows.
Can AxSTREAM replace spreadsheets and custom calculation tools?
AxSTREAM provides a structured, physics-based environment that replaces many manual and spreadsheet-driven processes with validated models, automated workflows, and built-in consistency checks. This reduces the risk of errors, improves repeatability, and allows engineers to focus on design decisions rather than tool maintenance.
Does AxSTREAM support complete turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design from concept through detailed analysis?
Yes. AxSTREAM is a comprehensive platform that supports the full turbomachinery and thermal-fluid system design process from initial concept and preliminary design through detailed CFD and FEA, rotor and bearing analysis, and system-level simulation. At the same time, AxSTREAM is modular by design, allowing organizations to adopt the capabilities they need and integrate them alongside existing engineering tools or workflows, enhancing rather than disrupting established toolchains.
What design stages benefit most from using AxSTREAM?
AxSTREAM is especially valuable during:
- Concept development and feasibility studies
- Preliminary and detailed component design
- Multidisciplinary optimization and trade studies
- System-level performance and operating envelope analysis
By supporting all these stages in a single environment, AxSTREAM reduces iteration time and improves design continuity.
How does AxSTREAM improve engineering productivity?
AxSTREAM improves productivity by:
- Automating repetitive calculations and geometry generation
- Enabling rapid parametric and optimization studies
- Maintaining consistency across components and systems
- Reducing reliance on disconnected tools and manual data transfer
This results in faster design cycles and higher confidence in engineering decisions.
Is AxSTREAM suitable for both experienced engineers and new team members?
Yes. AxSTREAM is used by senior engineers for advanced design, analysis, and optimization, while also providing a structured framework that helps new engineers learn best practices and contribute productively with less ramp-up time. In addition, AxSTREAM AI supports learning and onboarding by providing in-platform guidance, terminology explanations, and context-aware recommendations, helping users of all experience levels work more efficiently and confidently.
How does AxSTREAM support design consistency across teams?
AxSTREAM uses a unified data model for components and systems, ensuring that assumptions, geometry, and performance data remain consistent across projects and users. This is particularly valuable for teams working across multiple locations or disciplines.
Can AxSTREAM support custom design methodologies?
Yes. AxSTREAM is flexible and configurable, allowing organizations to align the software with their internal design philosophies, constraints, and workflows, while still benefiting from standardized and validated engineering models.
Why do organizations adopt AxSTREAM as a core design platform?
Organizations adopt AxSTREAM to:
- Consolidate early-stage and system-level design activities
- Reduce dependence on fragmented and manual workflows
- Improve design quality and decision-making speed
- Create a scalable platform that supports both engineering and education
Additional Inquiries
Still have questions? Connect with our team to discuss your project goals and receive guidance specific to your engineering challenges.
