by NovaCast Systems AB
Overview
NovaFlow&Solid is a mold filling and solidification simulation package based on advanced fluid flow and heat transfer theories.
NovaFlow&Solid Showcase Video
Short introductory video to casting simulation software by NovaCast.
Using NovaFlow&Solid with solidThinking Inspire
This document provides an in-depth description of how NovaFlow&Solid can be used alongside Inspire to help users create better parts more efficiently.
Read More
Most of the casting methods on the market can be simulated such as gravity sand casting, gravity permanent mold, low pressure die casting, high pressure die casting, lost wax method, tilt pouring and lost foam process. Commercial alloys can be simulated such as grey- and ductile iron, steel, aluminum alloys, copper-, zinc- and magnesium-based alloys, super alloys, all types of mold and core materials that exist on the market and exothermic materials as well as chills.
About NovaCast Systems
At NovaCast Systems, we believe in change, not just for sustainability, but for a truly responsible industry that makes good business with a good conscience. Therefore we are driven to innovate and produce solutions that will make us reduce the environmental footprint. It will not be easy, but we believe green business will be good for everyone.
Our casting process simulation system, NovaFlow&Solid, is an innovative tool that helps you work faster, easier and achieve more accurate castings – simply because every casting counts.
“NovaFlow&Solid provides faster and more accurate simulations and produces simulation results that are very close to reality, much closer than any of its competitors. NovaFlow&Solid makes it really easy to change different parameters, saving valuable time. The set-up of a complete simulation from a 3D model is fast, and the result is still very accurate.”
–Florent Baert, Project and Simulation Manager
La Font Ardennaise
Key Features & Benefits
Control Volume meshing technology also known as Boundary method or finite volume difference. This is without a doubt the biggest advantage of this software – here’s why:
- Multiple materials can be in a single meshed element.
- Meshing is simple and mostly automated
- Control Volume Meshing (CVM) has become the standard for superior Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD).
Database calibration with actual alloy information from the plant using the NovaCast Adaptive Thermal Analysis system (ATAS). With this system you can measure cooling curves of samples from your actual melts and then simply use a calibrate function that will update the NovaFlow&Solid database with the exact solidus, liquidus and density vs. temperature curve of your specific alloy.
Save temperature distribution after filling and then load on a different mesh for solidification. For example you can use a rough mesh for filling to just get a reasonable estimate of temperature distribution at the end of filling and then you can refine the mesh and load the saved temperature distribution onto the new meshed model for accurate solidification results. This currently works automatically if specified before simulation.
Multi meshing – Use different mesh during filling and solidification
Microstructure – Average values for austenite, graphite and cementite for cast irons
Shrinkage prediction for cast irons taking the graphite precipitation into account
High Pressure Die Casting – Simulates both cold and hot chamber methods
Full multi-core support without any additional cost.
Advanced Pouring functionality:
- Multiple influx points can be defined individually according to a variety of methods
- Parameter inputs are available for Pouring over lip, bottom pouring ladle and influx due to fixed influx area (filled pouring basin).
- No pressure will ever be generated due to a filled gating system (flow rate through the choke is smaller than the defined influx rate). NovaFlow&Solid will adjust the flow rate to prevent overfilling or unrealistic pressure due to a filled gating system.
- Filling with movable piston for High Pressure die-casting simulations can be done for all simulations with just 30 % - 50 % longer time.
Adjustable gravity effect during porosity formation – alloys with strong skin formation tend to form porosity internally as opposed to on the top surface (funnel piping). This property can be adjusted/calibrated in NovaFlow&Solid.
Gas flow calculation – capability to calculate and show the effect of gas (in the actual flow pattern, not just as a criterion) in the mold heating up and building pressure providing a true multiphase flow solution.
Built-in Methoding Calculation – two expert systems that will calculate feeder size and position and gating according to standard rules are built into the software to aid the foundryman in finding an initial design calculation.
Number of productive tools for the best understandable viewing of the results, such as Autogeneration of movies and Automatic report generator.
Gallery
Predict fatigue life and damage using a wide range of CAE fatigue analysis methods
Simulation of the temperature distribution during solidification of a steel casting
Comparison of prediction by using NFS and real casting result of thin-walled casting for aerospace
Simulation of an engine block in order to predict hot spots and future quality issues that may occur
Filling simulation of a thin-walled detail using high pressure die casting
Simulation of temperature during gravity casting in a sand form with ingate system and risers
Filling simulation of a high pressure die casting with complex geometry
Temperature distribution during solidification of a casting casted through low pressure die casting
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Industry Applications
This software is already very popular in foundries that produce non-ferrous or ferrous castings. NovaCast solutions are also very applicable and being widely adopted by any industry that requires a casting simulation solution.
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