ASHLAND RELEASES LATEST VERSION OF ARENA-FLOW1 SOFTWARE TO THE METAL CASTING INDUSTRY
24 May 2004 - Ashland Inc

Arena-flow software offers an intuitive, easy to use graphical interface, which allows users to import CAD drawings and specify all the variables involved in the core-making process. The software then delivers a complete picture of the core machine's blowing, gassing and purging cycles, as well as the capability to analyze the virtual cores before investing significant time, money and material in the core-making process.

Arena-flow software ensures that core-making processes are designed for efficient manufacturing and reduces the time to market for new casting component designs. Additionally, Arena-flow software can optimize current core-making processes to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and improve overall efficiency.

Enhancements offered in version 4.2 include:

a new core density model, which provides regional and local core density information critical in predicting core breakage as well as penetration and veining-type casting defects

an enhanced particle normal stress model, which provides more accurate and robust calculations regarding filling of the core box, even when relatively poor computational grids are used

a new flux plane capability, which provides detailed information regarding sand and air flow through specific blow tubes and various regions of the core geometry that can be used to redesign the blow tube and vent layout

an enhanced vent treatment that significantly improves the ease with which vents can be selected and applied to the surface of the core geometry, saving setup time particularly with composite tooling or 'family corebox' simulations where hundreds of vents are being modeled

and an interaction utility, which not only allows users to view results while the calculation is running, but also to communicate with the software during a calculation, optimizing process variables and saving significant run time and money.

Access to Arena-flow computer aided engineering software technology is granted by software license agreements as well as on a contract project basis through Ashland Casting Solution's Design Services Center. Recent license agreements include several North American automotive OEMs, European Tier I metal casting suppliers, and metal casting design centers. Additionally, several engineering projects have recently been completed for North American and Japanese automotive and medium to heavy truck OEMs.

Arena-flow technology was developed by Arena-flow LLC of Albuquerque, N.M., in conjunction with General Motors, NASA and the Department of Energy. Ashland is the exclusive worldwide sales, marketing and service supplier for Arena-flow in the sand casting industry. For more information about Arena-flow technology and how it can save you time and money, visit www.ashspec.com and click on the Casting Solutions section.

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