Article published on juin 2008MUSICA optimises the simulation of welding processes
Initiated in September 2005 for a duration of three years, the MUSICA project aims to simulate arc welding processes within time and cost constraints compatible with industrial use while still accessible to non-experts. A first demonstrator combining three numerical welding simulation software tools has been successfully presented.
Arc welding simulation tools
could make their entrance into the
industry and no longer be limited
to laboratories. The MUSICA project
is a CEA initiative in partnership
with CETIM, AREVA, ESI Group
(French software publisher) and
the French Welding Institute. The
objective is to extend the scope of
application of numerical welding
simulation techniques. 'Simulation
software tools are available, but
their complexity reserves their
use for experts within the scope of
R&D work', explains Guillaume de
Dinechin, Laboratory manager at
CEA Saclay.
By integrating existing modules
(particularly Sysweld and Pam-
Assembly software modules,
as well as a module specifically
developed by a CEA team), the
MUSICA project has led to the
proposal of a broader solution
offering better physical phenomena
prediction capabilities. 'New
software tools must be designed to
take into account more parameters
and thereby produce results closer
to physical and industrial reality'.
In order to be efficient and reliable,
numerical simulations must
incorporate the thermal, metallurgical
and mechanical behaviour of
metals, as well as certain chemical
aspects of welding processes. In
addition, current tools are still too
slow. MUSICA will therefore need to
accelerate operations.
CEA is the prime contractor of
the project and works on the
upstream software development
process, which involves modeling
the heat generated by the parts
to be welded. For this purpose, it
develops the 'Procédé' software
tool, which is integrated into
the final software package and
used to optimise the heat source
parameters identification phase (presently performed manually
using sensors). According to
Olivier Asserin, Head of the MUSICA
project, 'Current software tools
model heat generation by determining
an equivalent heat source.
In the MUSICA project, we attempt
to improve the equivalent heat
source concept and come closer to
industrial reality by incorporating
more physical parameters and
thereby directly modeling the
process'.
A first demonstrator combining
three software tools and operating
according to the equivalent
heat source concept has been
successfully presented. Project
researchers are currently validating
the solution on concrete cases
proposed by MUSICA partners.
'The integration of experience
feedback from complex industrial
cases will make the second version
of the tool even more operational'.
To be continued...
