Altair HyperXtrude 2021 Release Notes

Altair HyperXtrude is a suite of finite element solvers for simulating the following manufacturing processes.
  • Metal Extrusion
  • Polymer Extrusion
  • Quenching
  • Calibration
  • Metal Rolling
  • Friction Stir Welding
  • Resin Transfer Molding

New Features

Resin Transfer Molding
  • Stop Criteria - The solver can stop the simulation using the following criteria:
    • Stop after a specified percentage of the part is filled.
    • Stop after a specified percentage of the curing is completed. When the degree of curing reaches gelation value, it is considered 100% cured
    • Stop after a specified time has elapsed.
    Additionally, the solver stops when it encounters a short shot or when a specified number of time steps is reached.
  • Inspire Interface - HyperXtrude has a new, easy-to-use interface in Inpire. You can perform model setup, including draping analysis.
Quenching
  • User-Defined Function for Convection Heat Transfer Coefficient - A UDF (user-defined function) to compute the heat transfer coefficient used in the quenching analysis has been implemented. With this, you can implement a different correlation for quenching heat transfer. The UDF can be written in Fortran or C languages; and C language is recommended.

Enhancements

Resin Transfer Molding
  • Convection Heat Transfer - The wall boundary condition supports convection conditions through the specification of the heat transfer coefficient and convection temperature. This is in addition to the supported heat flux and temperature condition.
  • Curing Kinetics Models - The two curing kinetics models supported by the solver are now formalized as the "Generalized Curing Kinetics Model" and the "Constant Curing Rate Model." The generalized curing kinetics model is a combination of nth order and autocatalytic curing reaction. The constant curing rate model is a simpler model that specifies a constant curing rate.
Quenching
  • Spray Quenching: Correlation Used for Heat Transfer Coefficient - The current correlation in the solver for computing heat transfer coefficient is improved to consider different correlations for different boiling regimes. This improves the accuracy of the computed coefficient.
  • Profile Initial Temperature - You can now specify profile initial temperature for each extruded profile independently using the PROBLEM DATA packet in the GRF file. In addition, you can use a TCL function to specify this data. This feature is not yet supported in the user interfaces.

Resolved Issues

Quenching
  • Multiple Quench Zones - In a multiple spray quench zone system, only the first quench zone was affecting the part. This issue is resolved now and it will work correctly for both parallel and perpendicular nozzle configurations.