RTM Worx is an advanced simulation software for resin injection process, which was developed by TNO in 1991. It is widely used to simulate the filling flow of resin in RTM, VIP and other composite process, as well as the general flow process in porous media driven by pressure. RTM Worx can efficiently and conveniently use FEM and CVM to solve the physical equation of resin flow in porous media.
The software design of RTM Worx emphasizes efficiency, reliability and stability. The numerical accuracy of the software is very high, even in the worst case, only about 150 units can reduce the error to less than 1%. RTM Worx is little affected by cell shape and size, and the software provides reasonable default values for all necessary data. Because of the same discreteness of FEM or CVM, the convergence of calculation process and the accuracy of pressure calculation in any case are ensured, as well as the certainty of resin flow front end. At the same time, it can predict dry spot, filling time, fluid front end, flow rate, resin thickness, filling rate, pressure distribution, permeability, permeability direction, etc.
RTM Worx provides a wealth of cell types, including 1D line cell (pipeline), 3D shell cell (space shell structure) and 3D solid cell. Three cell types can be calculated in the same model, and different permeability can be set. This is the exclusive model calculation ability in the industry, which makes it easy to establish abnormally complex flow pipeline. Darcy flow, Poiseuille flow and hull SHAW model were used to calculate the resin flow. The injection port or exhaust port can be directly established through the point, the pipeline and flow channel can be established through the line, and the porous medium or hollow environment can be included.
The software has been widely used in aerospace, wind energy, automobile, civil engineering, shipbuilding and other fields, and has a share of more than 65% in the global RTM simulation application market.
Technical features of RTM Worx
Friendly graphic interface
RTM Worx operation interface has a typical windows style, which is simple and easy to use. By importing geometry structure or directly establishing point, line and surface structure in the software, the model is formed. Attribute information can be directly assigned to geometric entities, which is similar to the concept of finite element analysis element group but more intelligent, and can arbitrarily specify or change element attributes. It can provide a more practical conceptual model than artificial unit group, which is suitable for all geometry.
RTM Worx operation interface
Highly integrated simulation system
RTM Worx is a highly integrated simulation system. The three modules of preprocessor, solver and postprocessor are integrated in the same interface, which can independently complete the complete resin injection process analysis and obtain the analysis results. The finite element FEM method is used to construct the element of the solver, and the control volume method CVM is used to calculate the fluid front-end. The high-precision calculation results are obtained, and each analysis module can be arbitrarily switched. The software uniquely establishes points (which can simulate injection port or exhaust port), 1D line unit (which can simulate pipeline or runner), 2D shell unit (which can simulate shell structure) and 3D solid unit (which can simulate different parts) in the same structure model, so as to realize the rapid modeling and analysis of complex shapes and multi pipes.
Powerful and expandable composite process simulation
The design goal of RTM Worx is to simulate RTM process, but it can also simulate resin immersion molding process (RIP). The non isothermal reaction module of the software makes RTM Worx also be used to simulate reaction injection molding process (RIM). Software has been widely used in aerospace, wind energy, automobile, civil engineering, shipbuilding and other fields.
RTM Worx uses the CFD Worx core. CFD Worx has been widely used in thermoplastic injection molding, gas assisted molding (GAIM Worx) and chip packaging (3P Worx) software. The sharing of the core also provides convenience for the verification of RTM Worx users.
Higher calculation stability and efficiency, faster calculation speed and high simulation accuracy
RTM Worx has a completely redesigned interface and faster computing speed (four times faster than the first RTM process simulation software π 7). The solution speed is very fast, and the coarse mesh can be completed in a few minutes. When the speed, temperature and curing information are fully considered, the calculation process is only about twice as long. The numerical accuracy of the software is very high, even in the worst case (point injection with logarithmic pressure drop), only about 150 units can reduce the error to less than 1%. RTM Wrox is completely free from the great difference of permeability. It can be simply used as a physical parameter, whether it is measured permeability or resin channel flowing in Poiseuille or hele Shaw. Because of the FEM / CVM algorithm, the calculation accuracy of resin flow front-end is high. For different cell types, Darcy, Poiseuille and hele Shaw are used to simulate the flow phenomenon.
Calculation accuracy and speed
Advanced grid processing technology
RTM-Worx software integrates a three-dimensional surface modeling tool. Firstly, the node coordinates x, y, Z are input to define the neutral surface, and then the nodes are connected into a curve to form the boundary line of the surface. The surface is composed of a series of closed continuous curves, with the properties of thickness, fabric properties and so on.
RTM Worx has a built-in mesh generator, which can automatically and quickly mesh curves and surfaces, and support incremental division. The size of the element determines the accuracy and precision of the flow simulation. By default, the cell size and node spacing are appropriate, so-called "hierarchical" meshes. In general, the simulation performance of RTM Worx is the best when all cell sizes are approximately equal. In addition, the accuracy of local mesh generation can also be improved by adding nodes. Users have a lot of flexibility to choose, and can choose the appropriate method according to the actual situation. Even when importing the wrong curves and surfaces, such as self overlapping and boundary intersection, the mesh generator can generate the correct mesh and carry out the calculation smoothly.
Rich software model interfaces
RTM Worx supports the import of various formats, including:
WDX file: RTM Worx data format, ASCII file containing all RTM Worx model data. Allows users to customize the generated files, import or export from other software to other RTM analysis software.
STL file: SLA interface of 3D systems, in binary and ASCII format.
Patran neutral file format (mesh imported as surface model).
C-MOLD mesh file (FEM) to import mesh and attributes with surface model.
Fluent gambit grid file.
DXF file for AutoCAD.
Sepran file (MSH), including connection unit.
π 7 model database (pi7) file: full support.
In addition, it has extensible modules, which can import the layer files generated by MSC laminate modeler software (or laminate tools of anaglyph company). The layup file contains model, finite element mesh, lay order and fiber orientation information. RTM Worx software can automatically calculate the preform performance based on this information and save it in a separate file.
The RTM Worx imported file will be merged with the existing model, and the individual parts will be merged into a whole model. RTM Worx also supports the export of Patran neutral, DXF format (which can be used to generate injection mode diagram) and Tecplot data file format.
Parameterized salt extended script function
RTM Worx provides salt extension function. With programs similar to C language, users can write their own programs to extend the simulation process. The salt program can be opened and edited in Notepad and carried out in the salt console. Especially for the complex layer structure, it can be used flexibly.
Command flow modeling of salt for complex lay material of fan blade
Extended reading:
1. Deform welding (1) - welding simulation technology
2. Deform welding (2) - FSW friction stir welding simulation technology (ALE method)
3. Deform welding (3) - solid state welding
4. Numerical simulation of deform spinning based on ALE method