Concepts NREC Launches Agile Engineering Design System V2026.1

Concepts NREC officially unveiled V2026.1 of its proprietary Agile Engineering Design System (AEDS), featuring new competencies that streamline workflows across design, analysis, and manufacturing for turbomachinery engineers. Among the new and/or improved capabilities, Concepts NREC:

• Enhanced secondary flow analysis
• Minimized friction between tools
• Broadened machining flexibility for complex geometries
• Granted users greater control over process documentation

The updated software further expands the secondary leakage path capabilities from V2025.2, deepening computational fluid dynamics (CFD) functionality for radial and axial machines and allowing users to solve secondary passages with standard, stepped, or custom labyrinth seal designs using Cadence Fidelity Fine Turbo and Concepts NREC’s pbCFD. With improved secondary flow path geometry handling, AxCent leverages additional customization options and enhanced CFD solve success rates.

“The pace of innovation in turbomachinery is accelerating and engineers are expected to meet demands, faster than ever before,” said Jonathan Bicknell, VP of Software Products at Concepts NREC. “This release reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering the most connected and capable environment for engineers, from early design through analysis, optimization, and final machining, so they can focus on solving hard problems with robust tools.”

Also, the company established seamless connections between modules to slash setup time for analysis and optimization workflows, including an automated link between AxCent and CTAADS. The new connection ports blade geometry and CFD results directly into cooled turbine analysis projects to eliminate manual data transfer. On a similar note, the TurboOpt II and Ansys optiSLang integration was modified to automatically exchange inputs/outputs between the applications.

New toolpath methods are being introduced, such as spiral roughing capabilities for single blades and undercutting support. Spiral roughing supports shrouded or tailstock-backed parts when entering from the blade tip isn’t possible; undercutting support was added for 3+2 roughing operations with lollipop tools, disc cutters, and barrel tools, resulting in increased material removal in each tool orientation and reduced need for repositioning. Blade finishing toolpaths can now extend through the fillet and onto the hub, eliminating cusps and mismatches at the leading edge.

The company also added a new interface in the Machining Setup Properties menu to simplify process documentation customization, enabling users with more control over setup images, column configuration, and output format (HTML or TXT). With this enhanced interface, users can expect more consistent results when exporting. Concept NREC’s recent MAX-PAC update expands machining flexibility for complex blade geometries and gives engineers more options for roughing, finishing, and multi-orientation operations.

VAROC Air Dynamometer

In January 2025, Concepts NREC and Torquemeters launched the VAROC Air Dynamometer V85—an updated version of the variable-geometry radial outflow compressor typically used by the U.S. Military for testing turboshaft engines. The new testing tool offers a speed range up to 26,500 RPM, a power range up to 5,500 HP, and can traverse from low PP to maximum HP rating in 1 second or less.

With Concepts NREC’s in-house engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities, the updated portable air brake now includes angle testing, a compact footprint, and lower cost. The new VAROC Air Dynamometer V85 is applicable for testing GE Aerospace’s T700 and T901 engines.