France-based digital simulation software supplier ESI Group has unveiled ProCAST 2009 and QuikCAST 2009, a suite of simulation software for the foundry industry.
The ProCAST software offers a suite of modules and foundry tools. The ProCAST software, based on Finite Element technology, enables the prediction of deformations and residual stresses and is also capable of addressing processes like semi-solid, core-blowing, centrifugal, lost foam and continuous casting.
The company said that ProCAST 2009 is focused on microstructural prediction. The formation of microstructures associated with solid state phase transformations during cooling or during heat treatment could now be simulated using models based upon Time-Temperature-Transformation or Continuous Cooling-Transformation diagrams.
The QuikCAST software tool, designed for process evaluation, focuses on casting processes, such as, filling, solidification and porosity prediction. The QuikCAST validated technology is based on Finite Difference solvers with self-correction features. The tool is used in foundries to validate decisions during prototyping.
The company claims that QuikCAST 2009 has undergone several improvements in product functionalities and contains new features as well. In addition to the new post-processing capabilities, other improvements include acceleration of automatic grid generation, new graphical tools to monitor calculations and a new porosity model.
The ProCAST 2009 and QuikCAST 2009 results are now shown in a common viewer, Visual-Cast – a new post processing environment for foundry applications. It offers plotting and animation control tools.
