FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS sustains a broad network of partners for cooperation both in research and development and  in marketing and sales. Find below a selection of our partners and a brief description of the nature of our cooperation. Please check the linked websites for details and approach us for further information.

CPU 24/7

Flow simulations used in modern design processes require substantial computational resources. Consequently, high-end hardware and software solutions are regularly needed to drive design by simulation. However, investments in this field are sometimes very costly, binding capital, know-how and staff outside a company's core competence. CPU 24/7 and FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS have therefore started a cooperation to support high performance computing. CPU 24/7 provides tailored IT resources both remote and on demand. They offer services as carefree packages for hosting, housing and selling with the target to allow heavy load simulations whenever needed. Remote access to the computational power by CPU 24/7 can be realized via the FRIENDSHIP-Framework.

FormSys

Australian software developer Formation Design Systems, trading as FormSys, produces the Maxsurf suite, a range of software applications for naval architecture. The stability module Hydromax was coupled to the FRIENDSHIP-Framework as a result of the cooperation between FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS and the Fremantle-based software developer. This new  software capability allows naval architects to include detailed intact and damaged stability calculations at  the earliest stages of their vessel optimization work. More information is available on FormSys' website.

Kevin Cudby

New Zealand-based writer and yachtsman Kevin Cudby regularly publishes on yachting, power boating and motoring. Together with FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS he has conducted a research on the k-spline curve, a development of his, and its application in hull modeling. Over 2007, we worked out the implementaton of this parametric section curve in the FRIENDSHIP-Framework. This application has been successfully used for the design of  yacht hulls for Groupe Finot—the prototype of  a 3.6m dinghy  was built in October 2009. Check Kevin Cudby's website for the paper and thorough information. An editorial piece introducing the k-spline in yacht design was published in the March/April 2010 issue of Ship & Boat International.

FLOWTECH

Our Swedish cooperation partner is a specialist in the development of CFD software. SHIPFLOW is a collection of tools for the hydrodynamics design of ships. Over the past ten years it has become the world standard for ship hydrodynamics CFD. The software suite is a powerful instrument for the optimization of ships and has thus been given a dedicated coupling interface to the FRIENDSHIP-Framework.  The close business partnership between FLOWTECH and FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS is also reflected in the SHIPFLOW / FRIENDSHIP-Framework design package, which both software developers license mutually.  They have worked conjointly in the R&D scheme VIRTUE. Find more content  on our partner's website online. 

HSVA

The Hamburg Ship Model Basin (Hamburgische Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt) sustains expert knowledge in hydrodynamic research. The independent institution has , therefore, been involved in various international R&D. HSVA and FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS  have worked conjointly in a number of  research projects (VIRTUE, FORM-PRO, OptiSWATH). HSVA’s wave resistance flow code n-SHALLO is a fully non-linear,  potential code computing the inviscid flow around a  ship hull at a free surface. It can be tightly integrated in the FRIENDSHIP-Framework via a plug-in. Read more about HSVA's services on its website.

MARIN

Based in Wageningen, Netherlands, research institute Marin exercises hydrodynamic research and development for the worldwide maritime industry. The company operates a business unit for maritime simulation and software. One of MARIN's software tools for hydrodynamic research is Rapid, a wave resistance and flow code. Rapid can be coupled to the FRIENDSHIP-Framework, for which both software developers have developed a distinct XML interface.  MARIN was, like FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS, part of the R&D team of VIRTUE. Access MARIN's website for more information.

NUMECA

NUMECA International is a Belgian software developer and solutions provider for fluid dynamics simulations. It produces automated and customized Flow Integrated Environments. The software allows the design, simulation and optimization of flow problems. FINE^TM/Marine is a CFD platform for marine applications,  which can be readily coupled to the FRIENDSHIP-Framework, essentially adding the CFD functionality to the CAE system. Cooperation is entertained also between FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS and NUMECA Deutschland. Full information is displayed in their web content.

OEM supplier

FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS has a longterm partnership with Swedish software developer FLOWTECH International AB. Since 2007 FLOWTECH's well-known CFD code SHIPFLOW makes use of the FRIENDSHIP-Framework as the graphical user interface. SHIPFLOW is a dedicated CFD code for the hydrodynamics design of ships. It can be licensed  together with the FRIENDSHIP-Framework in a special design package. Please approach us for details.

Advisory Board

FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS receives continuous support from two experts:

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud, head of the department Fluid Dynamics and Ship Theory at the Hamburg University of Technology (website www.tu-harburg.de/fds/)
• Dr.-Ing. Dietrich Wittekind, independent consultant for hydrodynamic design, ship acoustics and system integration (website www.dw-sc.de)

Potentials

We are always interested in powerful ideas and productive cooperation. We welcome and explore potential partnerships in the following fields:

• Turbines
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Wind energy converters
• Propellers
• Ship hydrodynamics
• Ship on-board systems

Development is our core business - both in terms of our products and of our identity as a company. We are, therefore, interested in strategic partnerships. Please contact us with your ideas and schemes.

Title picture by © Stephan Gehrke