What do Formula 1 racing cars, aircraft engines, drones, and extractor hoods have in common? In all these applications and many more, aerodynamics are optimized and controlled by products from us – Vectoflow.
From a single probe to a complete system: Using 3D printing and smart software solutions, we develop customized flow measurement technology that adapts perfectly to the application and delivers reliable results even under difficult conditions.
Our systems measure the angle of attack, pressure, speed, and temperature of currents (air, water, gas, oil, etc.). This allows engineers at BMW, for example, to understand how the air flows around the vehicle and optimize it accordingly. For drones or unmanned transport vehicles, the measured data is fed directly into the control system, allowing for counteracting gusts of wind before they can cause a potential deflection. Currently, we are pursuing aviation certification, where the measured parameters provide important information to the pilot or autopilot.
Competitors' flow probes and systems are made from many small parts, making them very fragile and prone to breakage. There are only three different probe shapes, which are inadequate for many applications. The probes are too large and block the flow, negatively impacting measurement quality. The software is not user-friendly and difficult to integrate into test bench systems. Vectoflow probes and systems are manufactured using 3D printing. This way, all probes are adapted to the specific application in terms of shape, material, and size, which increases measurement accuracy by up to 45% or often even makes the measurement possible in the first place. The one-piece construction also makes them significantly more robust. Easy-to-use software rounds out the offering. By specializing in 3D printing, Vectoflow has succeeded in producing the smallest probe in the world (outer diameter 0.9 mm) and the most temperature-resistant probe in the world (up to 1800°C). The air data systems available on the market for drones cannot withstand external conditions (weather, etc.) and are easily damaged. The more advanced air data system for aircraft does not freeze (like competing products) and prevents disasters like the one that happened to Air France or the current Boeing examples.
Vectoflow was founded in mid-2015 by Florian Wehner, Dr. Christian Haigermoser, and Katharina Kreitz and has so far convinced over 80 customers worldwide of its quality. Companies such as GE, ABB, Siemens, universities, Tesla, NASA, ESA, SpaceX, BMW, and various Formula 1 teams purchase their measurement technology from Vectoflow.
