AxSTREAM Rotor Dynamics & Bearing

Rotor-Bearing System Analysis for Reliable & Efficient Operations

AxSTREAM RotorDynamics and Bearing is a state-of-the-art software solution designed for the complete analysis of rotor-bearing-support systems, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and smooth operation of rotating machinery. By integrating advanced simulation techniques, it provides engineers with powerful tools to model and analyze the full dynamic behavior of complex rotor systems.

The software enables users to perform lateral, torsional, and axial analyses across multi-shaft and multi-component rotor systems, including casing components and intricate support structures. Unlike conventional beam theory approaches, AxSTREAM RotorDynamics & Bearing leverages high-fidelity Finite Element Method (FEM) formulations to meet and exceed industry benchmarks in accuracy and predictive capabilities.

As part of this comprehensive solution, this software package also includes specialized capabilities for bearing analysis, allowing engineers to model and analyze practically any bearing type, along with auxiliary components such as seals, squeeze film dampers, and more. This fully integrated approach ensures a seamless evaluation of rotor-bearing interactions, leading to enhanced performance, extended service life, and lower maintenance costs.

Validated through extensive R&D and trusted by OEMs, government agencies, universities, and engineering firms worldwide, AxSTREAM RotorDynamics & Bearing delivers industry-leading accuracy and efficiency, helping engineers develop reliable, high-performance rotating systems with confidence.

Rotor Dynamics Capabilities & Features:

Finite Element (FE)-Based Approach – Utilize high-fidelity 2D axisymmetric and traditional beam finite element models for accurate representation of complex rotor systems, including aviation engines, power generation equipment, and industrial machinery.
Versatile Machine Analysis – Evaluate turbomachinery, horizontal and vertical machines, reciprocating machines, and systems with active magnetic bearings (AMB) quickly and reliably.
Multi-Spool and Multi-Component Systems – Analyze multi-shaft machines, rotors operating at different speeds, layered rotor assemblies, and casings/housings with integrated support structures and foundation modeling.
Linear and Nonlinear Analysis: Nonlinear analysis is available to capture and study complex behaviors (arising from nonlinear stiffness, damping, and other sources) that cannot be accurately predicted by linear models
Advanced Support Structure Modeling – Accurately simulate interactions between rotor-bearing systems, supporting structures, casing, and foundation to ensure realistic vibration behavior.
Fatigue Assessment Tools – Conduct high-cycle fatigue assessments and lifetime analysis.
Optimization Capabilities & Automated Processes – Leverage built-in software tools or connect to external programs for multidisciplinary optimization and dataset generation. Batch mode enables fast background calculations.
API-Compliant Analysis & Reporting – Conduct analyses aligned with industry standards (API) and generate compliance-ready reports with a push-button interface.
Seamless Integration & Data Export – Import rotor models directly from AxSTREAM’s flow path module, eliminating CAD delays, and export data in multiple formats (CSV, TXT, PNG, etc.).
Postprocessing & Visualization – Includes 2D/3D mode animations, intuitive postprocessing charts, and automatic calculations of standard-required parameters (API, ISO).

Using AxStream, this graphical representation of engineering data illustrates a stability map alongside diagrams with logarithmic decrement and rotational speed axes.

The AxStream visualization showcases a 3D graphical representation of rotor response, featuring multiple intersecting circles with labeled coordinates in a grid layout.

Graph showing rotor displacement analysis with charts of critical speed modes plotted against rotor length, designed for turbomachinery experts. Leveraging Softinway's advanced technologies, this comprehensive visualization enhances understanding of rotor behavior.

Lateral & Torsional Analysis:

Lateral Analysis:

Static Analysis – Determines static deflection, bearing reactions, and stresses.
Catenary Curve Analysis
Undamped Critical Speeds & Critical Speed Maps – Includes mode shapes, potential energy, and forward & backward whirl.
Damped Unbalance Response – Features Bode plots, dynamic stresses, 3D response & orbits, API amplification factors, and separation margins.
Stability & Campbell Diagram – Covers stability maps, damping ratios, Q-factor diagrams, and 3D response & orbits.
Steady-State Lateral Harmonic Analysis – Handles any type of external/internal excitation.
Transient Analysis & Waterfall Diagrams – Simulates maneuver loads and transient behavior.

Torsional Analysis:

Modal analysis, Campbell Diagram, & VFD Machine Simulation
Transient Analysis – Assesses short circuits, motor start-up events, and other transient excitations (FFT).
Steady-State Torsional Harmonic Analysis – Evaluates dynamic torques and stresses for high-cycle fatigue assessment.

Bearing Modeling & Analysis Capabilities:

Comprehensive Bearing Modeling – Analyze virtually any bearing configuration used in turbomachinery and rotating equipment, including:
- Journal fluid film hydrodynamic and hydrostatic bearings (plain, grooved geometry, pressure dam, multilobe, fixed, flexural, and tilting pad)
- Gas film bearings, including herringbone and bump-foil designs
- Rolling element bearings
- Ability to take real gas effects into account
- Thrust bearings (fixed pad, tilting pad, Kingsbury type)
Bearing Design Functionality – Helps select initial design parameters from a clean sheet and perform express evaluations to ensure feasibility.
Advanced Performance Simulations – Evaluate bearing performance under varying loads, speeds, and thermal conditions using Reynolds equations with finite-element or finite-difference discretization methods and heat-balance equations for accurate thermal analysis.
Cavitation & Turbulence Modeling – Incorporate cavitation modeling for fluid bearings and a turbulence model for accurate flow behavior, automatically adjusting for turbulent or laminar conditions.
Stability & Bearing Maps – Perform stability analysis for isolated bearings and as part of a rotor-bearing system with minimal input data, generating bearing maps to evaluate performance across varying conditions.
Rolling Bearing Analysis – Use advanced elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory to analyze rolling bearings of different configurations, including heat generation, stress and lifetime calculations, and dynamic coefficient determination.
Seals & Squeeze Film Dampers Integration – Simulate the impact of auxiliary components like squeeze film dampers (SFDs) and seals on system dynamics and stability.
Postprocessing & Reporting – Generate detailed 2D/3D visualizations and charts for enhanced design validation and optimization, covering hydrodynamic and performance parameters (minimal oil film thickness, eccentricity, power loss, friction coefficient, fluid temperature increase) and dynamic coefficients (stiffness and damping).

Figure 1. Common Types of Bearing Example

Benefits:

Standards Compliance: Ensure compliance with API and industry standards through built-in guided workflows, validation and reporting features.

Reliability & Efficiency: Optimize rotor-bearing systems to enhance reliability, extend operational life, and improve efficiency

Stable & Resonance-Free Operation: Predict and mitigate instabilities and resonance issues for smooth, failure-free performance.

Accelerated Design Process: Reduce development time with an intuitive interface and automated simulations, speeding up time to market.

Integrated Design Workflow: Detect critical speeds, instabilities, and potential failures early, minimizing costly iterations and physical testing

Cost Reduction: Minimize maintenance costs and unplanned downtime through advanced predictive analysis.

User-Friendly Interface: Experience a modern, intuitive interface that simplifies complex analysis for engineers of all levels.

Extensive Material Libraries: Access libraries of metal alloys and fluids with temperature-dependent properties, as well as real gas models.

Comprehensive Documentation: Benefit from help files, tutorials, case studies, and validation materials to support every stage of your design process.

AI-Powered Advisor: Leverage an intelligent advisor that provides guidance to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.