Center line extraction

Manually modelling cooling channels is a lengthy task for even relatively simple cooling systems. The center line extraction tool simplifies the process.

You can now quickly extract the center line curves from cooling channels that have been imported as 3D CAD bodies, as the first step towards generating cooling channel beam elements.

After you assign the property Channel (3D) to the relevant 3D CAD bodies, center line curves are extracted with a few additional mouse clicks.

The channel diameter of the 3D CAD body is automatically assigned to each curve as it is generated.

Limitations

• Tapered bodies are not supported.

• To convert curves of a non-circular cross sectioned 3D CAD body as beam elements:

  • Assign the curve a property of Channel.
  • Set the diameter property of the curve to a value that has the equivalent area of the non-circular body cross section.
  • Apply a flow factor that adjusts for the difference in contact surface area.

• Equivalent beam elements of non-circular cross sectioned 3D CAD bodies must not intersect with the part or another mold element, or the analysis will fail. Flat cooling channels are often not supported for this reason. These models can run as a Conformal Cooling analysis.