Setting Up the Physics

Physics models define the physical variables and phenomena in the simulation. The main phenomena to solve for in this simulation represent the material properties of liquid rubber and a flow of viscous fluid through the die, out into an extrusion.

To select the physics models:
  1. For the physics continuum, Continua > Physics 1, select the following models, in order:
    Group Box Model
    Enabled Models Three Dimensional (Selected automatically)
    Time Steady
    Material Liquid
    Flow

    Viscous Flow

    Constant Density (Selected automatically)

    Laminar (Selected automatically)

    Rheology Generalized Newtonian
    Optional Models Free Surface

    Selecting the Free Surface model adds mesh morphing to the simulation. This addition produces the swelling of the extrusion as it leaves the die. Here, you use the Bspline morpher method to move the mesh of the extrudate.

  2. Select the Tools > Motions > Morphing node and set Morpher Method to BSpline.
  3. Select Physics 1 > Models > Liquid > H2O and rename it to Liquid Rubber.
  4. Select Liquid Rubber > Material Properties and set the following properties:
    Node Property Value
    Density Method Constant
    Constant Value 1500 kg/m^3
    Dynamic Viscosity Method Constant
    Constant Value 2500 Pa-s
  5. Select Models > Free Surface and set the following properties:
    Property Value
    Extrusion Direction X
    Kinematic Condition Line
    Restrain Y Activated

    The Kinematic Condition setting of Line is the default and requires the velocity vector on the boundary to be aligned with cell edges and with the extrusion direction. The less restrictive Surface setting only requires the velocity vector to be parallel to cell faces. This requirement leaves a rotation degree of freedom to the free surface that is uniquely determined with a minimum energy principle.

    Restrain Y must be activated because no plane of symmetry orthogonal to Y exists. This setting requires that the integral of the Y component of the velocity is 0.