A new non-uniform elements method for temperature field simulation

A new technique for thermal field simulation of castings using a non-unifor m elements method based on Finite Difference Method (FDM) is proposed. It i s an improvement on the uniform elements method, which is now used in our m odelling software package. In this new method, the elements in the casting/ mould system are classified into two types - coarse and fine. Assumptions a nd principles used to distinguish coarse and fine meshes, together with the flow chart of the algorithm and a 2-D example, are given. 3-D FDM heat con ductive equations of two types of mesh are deduced. The technique has been applied in practical simulation and an example is presented. Calculated res ults are in good accordance with practical production and those from the un iform elements method, but computing time is greatly shortened. So this non uniform elements method has good prospects for future application and can b e of benefit to the Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) technology used in the foundry industry.