Get Started with Inspire Cast

Walk through the five steps needed to define and run a casting analysis.

Specify the Cast Part

Specify the cast part, designate the filling system, and set the gravity direction.

Note: Before you begin, you'll need to import or create the geometry of the cast part and the filling system. Refer to the section on parametric modeling for more information about creating and modifying geometry.
  1. Slect the Casting tab on the ribbon.
  2. Select the Designate Casting Part tool, then select the part to be cast in the modeling window.
  3. Select the Designate Filling System tool, then select the filling system parts in the modeling window.
  4. Select the Set Gravity Direction tool, then use the options on the microdialog to define the direction of gravity.

Add Gates

Desigate an imported inlet surface as a gate, or create a virtual gate.

There are two methods for adding a gate. Use the Designate Surfaces as Gates option if you have already designed an inlet surface in a CAD tool, either at the runner or on the part. Select Add/Edit Gate if you don't have a predefined gate and would like to create a virtual inlet.
Note: If you only want to calculate the solidification analysis, you can skip adding an inlet.
On the Gate icon, choose one of the following:

  • To designate an inlet surface as a gate, select the Designate Surfaces as Gates tool, then select the surface where the predefined gate is located in the modeling window.

  • To create a virtual gate, select the Add/Edit Gate tool, select a surface on the model to position the center of the gate, then enter the gate's dimensions in the microdialog.

Define Tooling Components

Simulate commonly used casting components.

For most components, you can create a virtual component by clicking on the main icon, or you can designate an imported part as that component using the satellite icon.
  1. Select the Components tool.
  2. Select a tool to create or designate a part as that type of component.
    • Select the Core tool, then click on one of the red locations to add a core.

      Note: Double-click any surface to automatically select adjacent surfaces with an adjoining angle less than or equal to the Tolerance Angle defined under Selection Options on the guide bar.
    • Select the Chiller tool, then select a surface to add a chiller.

    • Select the Riser tool, then select a surface to add a riser. A lateral or top riser is created, depending on the orientation of the surface with respect to the direction of gravity.

    • Select the Sleeve tool, then select a riser to add a sleeve around it.

    • Select the Overflow tool, then select a surface to add an overflow.

    • Select the Mold tool to add a mold. If you don't create a mold using this tool, a mold is automatically created when you run a casting analysis.

    • Select the Cooler tool to add a cooler, then sketch the path of the cooling line by clicking on the model. The points defining the path must be positioned on a single surface. Right-click to end the path.

    • Select the Filter tool, then click any point on the filling systems to add a filter.

    • Select the Shot Sleeve tool, then click the cookie on the running system to create the shot sleeve. If there is no cookie, it will be created automatically.

    • Select the Crucible tool, then click any point on the part or the filling system to create a crucible. Note that if you have defined a gate, you must remove it to create a crucible.

Specify Process Parameters

Select a casting process and specify its parameters, or perform a quick, general simulation with minimal input.

  1. Click the Basic Setup icon and enter the Initial Velocity or Filling Time to perform a quick casting analysis.
  2. Alternatively, click and select Gravity, High Pressure, or Low Pressure to enter more detailed parameters specific to those processes.

Run a Casting Analysis

Run a casting simulation and review the results.

  1. Click Analyze on the Run icon.
  2. Select which types of analysis to run, then click Run.
  3. When the analysis is complete, click the green flag above the Run icon or select the run name in the Run Status window to review the results in the Analysis Explorer.