To Run a Conformal Cool Analysis - 3D

Specific configuration of the conformal cooling channel is required so that the flow through the channel can be simulated properly.

Important: Conformal Cooling analyses are supported on Windows platforms only, and will not run on Linux platforms.

To run a conformal cooling analysis, ensure you have:

  • The part model.
  • A CAD representation of the conformal cooling body.
  • Ideally, a simplified CAD representation of the mold model.
  1. Click (Home tab > Import panel > Import), navigate to the part model and select Solid 3D as the mesh type.
  2. Click (Mesh tab > Mesh panel > Generate Mesh), and mesh the part.
  3. Change the analysis sequence to include Cool (FEM).
  4. Select the material to be used in the analysis.
  5. Set an injection location for the part.
    Note: A feed system does not have to be modeled to run a Conformal Cooling analysis.
  6. From the Study tree, right-click Cooling Circuits, select Add Cooling Circuit(s) (3D), and navigate to the CAD model of the conformal cooling circuit.
    Note: If the conformal cooling circuit is added via the Home tab > Import panel > Add option, select the imported CAD body and change its property type to Channel (3D)
  7. Click (Boundary Conditions tab > Cooling panel > Coolant Inlets/Outlets > Channel (3D) Inlets) and click on the inlet face of the conformal cooling body. The inlet arrow appears on the conformal cooling body.
  8. Click (Boundary Conditions tab > Cooling panel > Coolant Inlets/Outlets > Channel (3D) outlets) and click on the outlet face of the conformal cooling body. The outlet arrow appears on the conformal cooling body.
    Note: There should be an equal number of Conformal Cooling inlets and outlets.
  9. Click (Mesh tab > Mesh panel > 3D Channel Mesh) to open the Generate 3D Channel Mesh dialog.
  10. Confirm the parameters are suitable and click Mesh Now.
    Note: The conformal cooling channel is meshed with 3D tetrahedral elements, but any visible conventional cooling channels are meshed with beam elements.
  11. Model and mesh any additional 1D coolant systems.
  12. Model the feed system. The minimum requirement is that an injection location is defined.
  13. Define the mold by Importing a mold or by using the Mold Surface Wizard.

    If you import a mold from a CAD package:

    1. Prior to importing the mold body, ensure that the mold has been simplified in the CAD package by consolidating elements such as bolts or slides into the main mold body. This will simplify the resulting mold mesh.
    2. The volume of any part, runner or feed system must be converted into a void before importing. This can be done within Autodesk Fusion 360.
  14. Complete the modeling process by Generating the mold mesh. This is a two step process.
    1. Right click Create 3D Mold Mesh from the Study tree and select Generate 3D Mold Mesh. Ensure the parameters are correct and click Mesh Now. This creates a surface mesh of the mold.
    2. To mesh the volume of the mold right-click Create 3D Mold Mesh from the Study tree and select Generate 3D Mold Mesh. Ensure the parameters are correct and click Mesh Now. The meshes the volume of the mold.
To run the conformal cooling analysis, click Start Analysis.
Parent topic: Conformal cooling analysis