THE ROLE OF VISUALIZATION IN-PROCESS SIMULATION

A variety of computer simulation codes have recently emerged in the ma rket, enabling up-front simulation of manufacturing processes such as casting, forging, welding, powder-injection molding, and powder consol idation. Typically, a computer simulation consists of three distinct s teps: preprocessing, analysis, and postprocessing. Visualization plays a key role in preprocessing and especially postprocessing, where it a ssists in the intelligent and rapid interpretation of a huge amount of data. A good visualization capability has now become an essential par t of any comprehensive process simulation code. This article discusses recent work in developing visualization tools for pre- and postproces sing of casting and powder injection molding simulations. The essentia l features of these visualization tools are summarized and their appli cations are illustrated with the help of suitable examples showing det ails such as solid models, filling patterns, hot spots, porosity crite ria functions, grain size, and weld line formation.