Application history of 3D scanning:
solving various tasks in real production facilities
solving various tasks in real production facilities
Reverse engineering, geometry control, non-contact measurements, creation of equipment for scientific experiments, virtual museums, product design and other applications of 3D scanners
How a 3D scanner helps to combat aerodynamic drag
Hale Dynamics, a company that develops customized workouts for athletes, has used the Calibry 3D scanner to digitize riders for aerodynamic analysis purposes.
Case study: What do 3D scanners have to do with computational fluid dynamics in sports
In short: Hale Dynamics, a company that develops customized workouts for athletes, has used the Calibry 3D scanner to digitize riders for aerodynamic analysis purposes.
The objective is to reduce aerodynamic drag, which, as a result, will lead to an increase in the athlete’s efficiency.
Tools: Calibry 3D scanner, OpenFOAM software (open source software for computational fluid dynamics), tape measure, digital angle sensor and levels.
The result is an increase in the rider’s speed due to improved aerodynamics.
In top-level sports, every detail is important, and sometimes seconds can determine victory or defeat. Time trial cycling, triathlon, and road racing are disciplines in which aerodynamics determines the rules of the game. Thus, it is very important to optimize the rider’s equipment and posture.
This article was written with the support of Hale Dynamics, a company that applies computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to the analysis of cyclists in order to improve their performance.
Aerodynamic drag is the biggest force that slows down an athlete during a race, and the rider himself makes the biggest contribution. It has been estimated that about 80% of the total resistance is created by the athlete. In addition, the aerodynamic drag increases as the speed increases, so the rider has to make more effort to "move through the air."
In short: Hale Dynamics, a company that develops customized workouts for athletes, has used the Calibry 3D scanner to digitize riders for aerodynamic analysis purposes.
The objective is to reduce aerodynamic drag, which, as a result, will lead to an increase in the athlete’s efficiency.
Tools: Calibry 3D scanner, OpenFOAM software (open source software for computational fluid dynamics), tape measure, digital angle sensor and levels.
The result is an increase in the rider’s speed due to improved aerodynamics.
In top-level sports, every detail is important, and sometimes seconds can determine victory or defeat. Time trial cycling, triathlon, and road racing are disciplines in which aerodynamics determines the rules of the game. Thus, it is very important to optimize the rider’s equipment and posture.
This article was written with the support of Hale Dynamics, a company that applies computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to the analysis of cyclists in order to improve their performance.
Aerodynamic drag is the biggest force that slows down an athlete during a race, and the rider himself makes the biggest contribution. It has been estimated that about 80% of the total resistance is created by the athlete. In addition, the aerodynamic drag increases as the speed increases, so the rider has to make more effort to "move through the air."
The air slows down a cyclist the most! Image provided by Hale Dynamics
Bicyclist. Image credit: Hale Dynamics
With the help of 3D technologies and CFD modeling, the rider’s efficiency can be increased. In general, such a session can be divided into the following steps:
1. The specialist measures the client’s bike with a tape measure, digital protractor and levels. It also photographs the initial position of the rider.
2. It then scans the rider in the starting position using the Calibry 3D scanner.
3. Adjusts the rider’s position based on the customer’s experience and wishes.
4. Takes measurements and photographs the new position.
5. Scans the rider in a new position.
6. Repeats steps 3, 4, 5 several times. The number of iterations depends on how quickly it is possible to find a preliminary optimal position, as well as on the time and cost of the session.
7. The client leaves with preliminary recommendations.
8. The specialist proceeds to post-process the scans and, if necessary, cleans the geometry. This step is one of the most important, because the quality of the data determines the accuracy of the analysis. At this stage, good geometry and careful cleaning are important.
1. The specialist measures the client’s bike with a tape measure, digital protractor and levels. It also photographs the initial position of the rider.
2. It then scans the rider in the starting position using the Calibry 3D scanner.
3. Adjusts the rider’s position based on the customer’s experience and wishes.
4. Takes measurements and photographs the new position.
5. Scans the rider in a new position.
6. Repeats steps 3, 4, 5 several times. The number of iterations depends on how quickly it is possible to find a preliminary optimal position, as well as on the time and cost of the session.
7. The client leaves with preliminary recommendations.
8. The specialist proceeds to post-process the scans and, if necessary, cleans the geometry. This step is one of the most important, because the quality of the data determines the accuracy of the analysis. At this stage, good geometry and careful cleaning are important.
Cleaning the geometry of the model. Image credit: Hale Dynamics
9. Now the specialist performs an analysis for each scanned pose to obtain the coefficient of resistance (CdA). The simulation is performed in the OpenFOAM program (open source software for computational fluid dynamics) using individual developments.
a) The first step is to create a mesh of the fluid domain. A predominantly hexagonal grid is used, representing a virtual wind tunnel (from the outside of the rider to the tunnel walls). A hexahedral (hexagonal) grid is preferable to a tetrahedral (pyramidal) grid in order to increase the efficiency of the analysis. This step requires good geometry — for example, inverted mesh cells and internal elements can cause problems with the mesh!
b) After constructing the calculation area, an analysis can be performed, which usually takes from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the required complexity.
a) The first step is to create a mesh of the fluid domain. A predominantly hexagonal grid is used, representing a virtual wind tunnel (from the outside of the rider to the tunnel walls). A hexahedral (hexagonal) grid is preferable to a tetrahedral (pyramidal) grid in order to increase the efficiency of the analysis. This step requires good geometry — for example, inverted mesh cells and internal elements can cause problems with the mesh!
b) After constructing the calculation area, an analysis can be performed, which usually takes from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the required complexity.
An example of a generated hexagonal grid. Image provided by Hale Dynamics
An example of the calculation area. Image provided by: Hale Dynamics
10. Finally, the rider is provided with reporting images and a comparative analysis of projected speeds and equipment changes that will help him improve efficiency.
Sample report. Image provided by: Hale Dynamics
Conclusion:
About 80% of the total aerodynamic drag is created by the athlete. Using 3D technology, Hale Dynamics offers riders accurate and personalized analysis that allows them to reduce drag and optimize loads.
3D scanner in this project
Handheld optical 3D scanner
Accuracy up to 0.1 mm
Resolution up to 0.6 mm
Scans textures
Accuracy up to 0.1 mm
Resolution up to 0.6 mm
Scans textures