ABSTRACT

To create the computational grid for casting process simulation, geometry information on the regions being simulated is needed. Geometry information may be available either in the form of a drawing (blueprint) or in the form of an electronic geometry model. If geometry is obtained in the form of a drawing, then a geometry model must be recreated before the mesh can be generated. Building a geometry model from a drawing is a complex, labor-intensive, and high cost operation. Almost all OEMs use computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, and thus have electronic geometry models of the parts that they order from foundries. Obtaining these geometry models electronically can result in significant cost and time savings. However, electronic data interchange among various CAD/CAM systems and between the CAD/CAM systems and casting modeling systems is a technological challenge.