ProCAST software uses finite element method to simulate heat transfer, filling flow process, thermal-stress coupling field, microstructure and shrinkage cavity.ProCAST can accurately simulate the casting process of the casting cavity, accurately simulate the solidification process of the casting, predict the possible conditions of the casting in the actual process, and provide a shortcut for the casting engineer to study the casting process, so as to optimize the process plan.
The main function modules of ProCAST include grid dividing module, basic module, i.e. heat transfer analysis module, flow analysis module and stress analysis module.MeshCAST can automatically generate finite element grid, which can be perfectly connected with commercialized CAD software. It can directly read standard CAD file formats and surface or three-dimensional grids in Patan, ANSYS, Hypemesh, I-DEAS formats. MeshCAST also has the features of automatic repair tool and inconsistent grid generation.
The basic module, heat transfer analysis module, calculates heat conduction, radiation and convection during filling and calculates latent heat during metal liquid phase transition using enthalpy equation; the module also includes ProCAST.All functions of pre-treatment and post-treatment are mainly used to set various boundary and initial conditions during casting. Post-treatment can display temperature field, flow field and velocity field, and can also use shrinkage criterion or Niyanma criterion to judge shrinkage and position of shrinkage and shrinkage.
The flow analysis module can simulate the flow effects, turbulence, thixotropic behavior of liquids and solids and the flow in porous media (e.g. filters), and can couple the flow and heat transfer of liquids through a complete Navier-Stocks flow equation.The stress analysis module can perform a complete coupling calculation of flow field, temperature field and stress field. It contains several models describing the mechanical properties of materials and can set the mold into one or several combinations of elastic, elastic-plastic and elasto-viscoplastic models.