Hydrocomp Inc.
Hydrocomp Inc. News
HydroComp Releases PropCad 2026
HydroComp has released PropCad 2026 to improve the daily tools used by propeller designers, manufacturers, and researchers to develop, inspect, and document marine propeller geometry.This year's release focuses on a smoother CAD Import workflow, more direct 3D model interaction, and continued modernization of the data-entry tables used throughout PropCad.Interactive Pitch-Plane Control for CAD Import…
HydroComp Releases New Features for its NavCad System
HydroComp has announced the 2024 development of new technical features and workflow improvements for its NavCad® system.Release Build 2024.0 brings an updated prediction model for the partial load efficiency of PMAC (permanent magnet AC) motors. It also introduces a new scripting function to support its continuing development of oblique flow corrected KTKQ prediction (File.ExportFullKTKQ) for its Premium Edition.An interface theme update has also been finalized.
The "KISS Principle" & Managing, Measuring Ship Emissions
HydroComp is a well-established, small engineering firm focused on hydrodynamic and propulsion system simulation, providing design tools for engineers and naval architects to focus on vessel performance, including emissions. Don MacPherson, HydroComp’s long-tenured Technical Director, discusses the impacts of tightening emissions regulations, with insights on maximizing new vessel designs and refits.Don, maritime has been in the crosshairs of regulators to reduce emissions.
Underwater Radiated Noise: What’s Missing for Design?
We all acknowledge the environmental impact of Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) from ships, and the challenges it poses for shipping companies and shoreside organizations. While noise is produced by drive systems and other mechanical components, noise specifically from the propeller can be particularly damaging since it is the source with the greatest URN strength and propagation distance. Mitigating this type of URN production is also of timely interest…
Tech Files: HydroComp Releases PropExpert 2021
HydroComp released its latest version of PropExpert with new Windows “visual styles” option and other technical updates.During 2021 HydroComp has undertaken a significant in-house initiative to enhance product “look-and-feel” for contemporary themes available in Windows 10/11. The overall workflow process remains unchanged and will be familiar to users, but new controls and graphs now support Windows “visual style”.
Thruster Tech: Capturing Performance Data for Design of Unmanned Vehicles
Conducting a sea trial is a necessary step upon delivery of a ship. This activity not only documents and validates anticipated ship speed and power, but if done correctly also provides performance data that can be useful for design purposes. The same holds true for underwater vehicles in general and thrusters in particular. However, while gathering data may seem easy, extracting useful trial data for…
Propeller Considerations for Inland River Pushboats
Inland river pushboats operate in a harsh environment. Transiting our rivers, bays, lakes and inland waterways, these vessels push barges between hubs of commerce. Swift currents, trash and debris, heavy traffic and narrow waterways are day-to-day realities for these vessels and operators.Pushboats have two typical modes of operation: steady-state (long haul running) and transient-dynamic operations (backing, maneuvering and acceleration).
HydroComp Launches PropCad 2020
HydroComp launched its new PropCad 2020 software for the geometric design of marine propellers. PropCad automatically prepares 2D drawings, 3D CAD models and much more.All HydroComp 2020 products have been upgraded with a new internal code-and-control set. This has increased the speed and stability of the program across existing Window’s platforms. These changes are largely behind the scenes, but users…
HydroComp PropCad 2019 Released
New features greatly improve process workflow for propeller designers…HydroComp PropCad 2019 includes several new exciting additions to make PropCad more effective…
Contemporary UUV Propulsor Design
From the standpoint of vehicle propulsion physics, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is little different from your personal ski boat or a tanker. It shares the Vessel-Propulsor-Drive system model, which allows a Propulsor to convert Drive energy into thrust for the purpose of moving a Vessel. The basic principles of thrust equilibrium and motion are common to all three, as are the translation of…
Digital Feature Extraction with PropCad Premium 2018
A new utility automates feature extraction from 3D CAD data.Marine propellers can last a long time – it is not uncommon to find a vessel running on its original set of propellers. Sometimes, these propellers even outlive the companies that produced them. For example, some large volume propeller manufacturers have permanently closed their doors and patterns, molds, and design data have been scattered to unknown corners of the globe.
HydroComp Upgrades PropCad Premium Feature Set
The latest release of HydroComp's PropCad 2018 Premium Edition includes a new utility to simplify the extraction of propeller features from full 3D CAD files, drastically reducing the time and effort needed to recreate an existing propeller or product model.HydroComp, a Durham, N.H. based maritime software and consultancy services provider, released the new utility as part of the PropCad Premium feature set.
