Aachen, October 2010. MAGMA GmbH introduces with MAGMA5 a new generation of casting process simulation. MAGMA5 continues the series of MAGMASOFT® solutions used by foundries world-wide in order to optimize their cast component production. The software is based on more than 20 years of development, during which the Aachen based company has continued to innovate on and establish casting process simulation as a standard. „First understand, then optimize“: following this standard, MAGMA5 delivers a profound understanding of casting processes that allows optimization along the complete process chain of the cast component.
MAGMASOFT® is a comprehensive simulation tool for the technological and quality focused production of castings worldwide. Our simulation capabilities show. The Magma handbook is included as part of the standard Magma installation, along with PDF copies of the handbook chapters. They can be found in the doc directory. MAGMA stands for robust and innovative casting solutions. Autonomous Engineering with MAGMA leads to robust and cost effective solutions in component design, tooling.
Within the software, this is made possible through different perspectives which can be used simultaneously by the user. Integrated information and tools for simulation projects In MAGMA5, all steps that are necessary for casting process simulation can be specified and performed from a process perspective. This allows the complete production process from geometry input, through the design of gating, risering and tooling, on to solidification and finishing processes such as heat treatment, to be described and simulated. In the process perspective, all information about the used materials, metallurgy and melting practice, production conditions and finishing processes such as heat treatment come together. This allows the user to get a complete overview of the entire manufacturing process he wants to simulate. Altogether, the process orientation of MAGMA5 sets the basis for a profitable manufacture of cast components – through improved casting layouts, achieving the required casting quality, and saving costs.
New simulation capabilities MAGMA5 provides important new casting process simulation capabilities. New advanced turbulence models as well as the consideration of surface tension improve the mold filling prediction for gravity castings. And, tracer particles can be modeled with mass and size to evaluate slag inclusions. Burn-on and penetration criteria help identify sand related surface defects.
Moreover, a new module for the simulation of as-cast local microstructures and properties of aluminum alloys is available with MAGMAnonferrous. The stress module MAGMAstress has also been completely reworked and for the first time offers the option to simulate thermally induced casting stresses for the complete manufacturing route. A new and comprehensive plasticity model provides improved accuracy, because it considers temperature-dependent as well as time-dependent effects on stresses and strains. Clearly presented results Simulation results such as 3D graphics, diagrams, and tables can be shown in multiple views and can be displayed in selectable levels of detail. This means that results can be evaluated reliably in order to allow an optimization of cast components and casting processes.
New software architecture secures future developments The new methodology that MAGMA5 provides is mirrored in the software architecture. Technically, the software is built on a completely new platform and, as it is also modularly extendable and scalable, it offers development potential for the coming years. Due to standard interfaces that allow the free import and export of data, MAGMA5 can be completely integrated into the user’s work environment. With MAGMA5, new hardware and operating systems offer new opportunities. MAGMA5 is fully native Windows compliant and runs on 64-bit Windows operating systems, offering the advantage of greatly increased memory access. For Linux users, MAGMA5 is available for the current SUSE and RedHat Linux Enterprise distributions. MAGMA5 supports multi-core architectures effectively.
The combination of MAGMA5 and the latest hardware (Core i7/Neharlem CPU) results in a reduction of simulation times by up to a factor of 5. With the currently released MAGMA5 Version 5.0 all important sand casting processes are supported. The simulation of permanent mold and die casting processes including gravity die casting is available with MAGMA5 Version 5.1.