Casting Filling Analysis

Category: Analysis | Consolidated Edition 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for casting filling theory - technical simulation diagram
Casting Filling Analysis

Theory and Physics

Overview

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Professor! Today's topic is about casting filling analysis, right? What is it exactly?


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It analyzes the injection process of molten metal into a mold using CFD. It predicts free surface flow (VOF method), turbulence, and air entrapment. It is essential for optimizing the design of gates, runners, and weirs.


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I see. So, as long as the molten metal can be poured into the mold, it's basically okay?


Governing Equations


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Expressing this with equations, it looks like this.


$$\frac{\partial\alpha}{\partial t} + \nabla\cdot(\alpha\mathbf{u}) = 0$$

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Hmm, just the equation doesn't really click for me... What does it represent?


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Navier-Stokes equations:



$$\rho\left(\frac{\partial\mathbf{u}}{\partial t}+\mathbf{u}\cdot\nabla\mathbf{u}\right) = -\nabla p + \mu\nabla^2\mathbf{u} + \rho\mathbf{g}$$

Theoretical Foundation

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I've heard of "theoretical foundation," but I might not fully understand it...


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Casting filling analysis simulation is formulated as a coupled problem of thermodynamics, material mechanics, and fluid dynamics. Since the physical phenomena of the manufacturing process span multiple time and spatial scales, an appropriate combination of macro-scale continuum models and meso/micro-scale material models is required. The goal is to quantitatively predict the causal relationship between process parameters (temperature, velocity, load, etc.) and product quality (dimensional accuracy, defects, mechanical properties).



Governing Equations for Manufacturing Processes

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I'm not good with equations... Could you explain the "meaning" of the casting filling analysis equations?


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Manufacturing process simulation is formulated as a coupled problem of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and solid mechanics.



Heat Conduction Equation (Energy Conservation)

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What exactly is the heat conduction equation?



$$ \rho c_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t} + \rho c_p \mathbf{v} \cdot \nabla T = \nabla \cdot (k \nabla T) + Q $$


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Here, $T$ is temperature, $\mathbf{v}$ is the material's velocity field, $k$ is thermal conductivity, and $Q$ is internal heat generation (Joule heating, latent heat, frictional heat, etc.).


🧑‍🎓

Now I understand why my senior said, "Make sure you do manufacturing process simulation properly."



Solidification and Phase Change

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Please tell me about "Solidification and Phase Change"!


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During the solidification process, the release/absorption of latent heat significantly affects the temperature field. Formulation using the enthalpy method:



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Expressing this with equations, it looks like this.


$$ H(T) = \int_0^T \rho c_p(T') \, dT' + \rho L f_l(T) $$

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Hmm, just the equation doesn't really click for me... What does it represent?


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Here, $L$ is the latent heat, and $f_l(T)$ is the liquid fraction (takes a value between 0 and 1 in the solid-liquid coexistence region).




Constitutive Law for Plastic Deformation

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What exactly is the constitutive law for plastic deformation?


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Plastic deformation of metals is described by constitutive laws such as the Johnson-Cook model:



$$ \sigma_y = (A + B\varepsilon_p^n)(1 + C \ln \dot{\varepsilon}^*)(1 - T^{*m}) $$


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$A$: Initial yield stress, $B$: Hardening coefficient, $n$: Hardening exponent, $C$: Strain rate sensitivity, $m$: Thermal softening exponent.


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After hearing all this, I finally understand why manufacturing process simulation is so important!




Flow Analysis (Filling / Casting)

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Next is the topic of flow analysis. What's it about?


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The flow of molten metal or resin follows the Navier-Stokes equations, but high viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid characteristics must be considered. For injection molding, the Cross-WLF model is standard:



$$ \eta(\dot{\gamma}, T, p) = \frac{\eta_0(T, p)}{1 + (\eta_0 \dot{\gamma} / \tau^*)^{1-n}} $$
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I see... Manufacturing process simulation seems simple at first glance, but it's actually very profound.


Assumptions and Applicability Limits

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