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Induction heating simulation utility

This script facilitates the generation of a series of coupled AC Magnetic - Transient Heat Transfer analysis problems, enabling the simulation of induction heating processes in materials with temperature-dependent electromagnetic properties.

The process involves first setting up an AC Magnetic -> Transient Heat Transfer coupled problem. Then, a series of these coupled problems is generated for different process stages, with magnetic properties adjusted based on the temperatures reached at the end of each stage. All temperature-dependent model block labels must contain the same identifier text string, which will be entered in the relevant field on this page.

Billet induction heating Loss power Initial temperature Time AC magn AC magn #1 AC magn #2 Trans. thermal Trans. thermal #1 Trans. thermal #2 Attenuate material properties to the new temperature distribution Pass so far calculated temperature distribution as an initial state to the next thermal problem

The script's output includes a series of QuickField problems (AC Magnetics coupled with Transient Heat Transfer) for each stage of the process, along with tables and plots displaying the temperatures at designated control points at the end of each stage.

The Excel file contains two worksheets: MagneticProperties and ProcessControl. Embedded VBA macros can be executed by pressing the corresponding buttons on these sheets.

Steps for Running an Induction Heating Simulation:

  1. Specify Temperature-Dependent Magnetic Parameters: Input the required temperature-dependent magnetic properties on the MagneticProperties sheet of the Excel file.
  2. Create a Coupled Problem: Set up a coupled AC Magnetics -> Transient Heat Transfer problem. Ensure that all related problem files are stored in the same directory as the Excel file. Blocks with temperature-dependent magnetic properties must share a common label string in part of their names. Define up to three control points, each with a unique node label.
  3. Input Simulation Parameters: Enter the necessary simulation parameters in the highlighted yellow cells on the ProcessControl sheet.
  4. Run the Simulation: Click Reset to clear previous results and initialize the time. Then, click Start/Continue to begin the simulation for the set number of stages or until the desired maximum temperature is reached at one of the control points. If you click Stop during the simulation, it will halt at the current stage but can be resumed later.