Load groups

Every blade is designed against a list of operating states. Classically, that list lives in a specification document and is copied into each tool by hand. In econblades, it lives in one place.

Fixed values or ranges.

Enter any value as Fix or as a Range. A range lets econblades sweep, for example across rpm, to find the operating point.

Load limits.

Set limits for thrust, torque and power. When econblades searches for the required rpm or blade pitch, it stays inside this envelope.

Fatigue profiles.

Build fatigue scenarios from your load cases. Scale each case, set its duration or cycle count, and reuse a case as many times as the scenario needs. It's an easy way to define an operating envelope that represents the blade's expected lifetime.

Several groups per project.

Define multiple load groups and switch between them. A load group is independent of geometry and layup, so it can be prepared in parallel.

Open to the whole team.

The project manager who owns the specification can enter and check the load cases directly.

Reuse existing designs.

Re-check an existing blade against new specifications, fast. New project, or a harsher environment? Want to know whether your existing blade will hold up? Define a new Load Group, link it to your existing blade layup and set up the integrity analysis in a few clicks. econblades does the assessment for you.

What happens if I don't set load limits?

The default limit is high enough to have no effect. Set limits only where your design needs them.

Can I reuse load cases for fatigue?

Yes. Fatigue profiles are built from existing load cases. A case can appear more than once, and you don't have to use every case.

Can I define cross-wind conditions in a Load Group?

Yes, with the Inflow Angle setting. The aero assessment takes the inflow angle into account. If you turn it on in the analysis settings, econblades also checks the blade's fatigue under high-cycle asymmetric aerodynamic loading, which is a major cause of failure in drone lift propellers.