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Model Setup
Designate and analyze casting parts, set gravity direction and mold opening direction, define runner system, and configure casting components.
Components
Identify predefined components, or create virtual components (cores, chillers, risers, sleeves, overflows, the mold, coolers, and filters).
Mold
A mold contains the cast part and any casting components.
Add/Edit Mold
Create and edit a mold that contains the cast part and all components.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire Cast? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Learn to use Inspire Cast with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids with construction history and variables.
Model Setup
Designate and analyze casting parts, set gravity direction and mold opening direction, define runner system, and configure casting components.
- Cast Part
  Define and analyze the casting parts, and set gravity direction.
- Runner System
  Define the runner system for the model.
- Components
  Identify predefined components, or create virtual components (cores, chillers, risers, sleeves, overflows, the mold, coolers, and filters).
  - Core
    A core is used to create the interior shape of a model. It is commonly used in sand casting, but it can also be used in other processes.
  - Chiller
    A chiller is used to accelerate the solidification in a specific area of a metal casting mold.
  - Riser
    A riser is a reservoir of material built into the mold to prevent porosity resulting from shrinkage.
  - Sleeve
    A sleeve is a sand component that is placed around a riser.
  - Overflow
    Overflows are cavities in the die that act as vents for air to escape and as traps for excess metal flow.
  - Squeeze Pin
    Squeeze pins can help prevent porosity in a finished part by compressing a particular region of the molten metal during its solidification.
  - Mold
    A mold contains the cast part and any casting components.
    - Add/Edit Mold
      Create and edit a mold that contains the cast part and all components.
    - Designate Components as Mold Parts
      Identify any mold parts you've already designed in a CAD tool.
  - Cooler
    A cooling system is used in high-pressure die casting to provide heat dissipation and to maintain a constant temperature relative to the mold. This helps ensure tension-free cooling of the cast parts.
  - Filter
    A filter is a casting component applied to the gating system to catch impurities and to have flow control over the liquid as it passes through it.
  - Shot Sleeve
    In High Pressure Die Casting, a shot sleeve is a piston sleeve that advances the liquid in the chamber to the mold.
  - Crucible
    In Gravity Tilt Pour Casting, the crucible is the vessel in a vacillation machine that administers the liquid to the mold.
  - Stalk
    In Low Pressure Die Casting, a stalk is a riser tube through which molten material is forced into the mold.
Cast Analysis
Run a casting analysis to minimize defects and prevent manufacturing problems.
Casting Benchmark Manual
Download the Casting Benchmark Manual to learn more about benchmark and verification tests.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have answers!

Add/Edit Mold

Create and edit a mold that contains the cast part and all components.

If you don't create a mold using this tool, a mold is automatically created when you run a casting analysis.

Click the Casting tab.
Click the Components icon.
Click the Mold icon.

A mold that contains the cast part and all components is created.
Use the microdialog options to adjust the margins and define the position, material, temperature, dimensions, roughness, and thickness of the foundry coating.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

To edit the mold, click the Mold icon, and then click the mold.

Microdialog Options

Adjust the margins of the mold and define the position, material, temperature, and dimensions.


Option		Description
Move		Click to move the mold.
Resize		Click to reset the dimensions.
Trim		Click , and then click a surface of the mold. This removes the gap between the selected surface and the model. By default, the inlet to the filling system will be normal to the surface of the mold.
Material		Select the material.
Material Viewer		Click to examine the material's Thermal and HTC properties.
Temperature		Enter the temperature.
X		Enter the dimension along the x-axis.
Y		Enter the dimension along the y-axis.
Z		Enter the dimension along the z-axis.
Roughness		Select the roughness of the mold surface finish. Specular provides a polished mold surface with low friction between liquid and mold. Normal is the regular mold finish and the default. High provides a poor surface finish with high friction between liquid and mold.
Coating		Select the thickness of the foundry coating. A thin layer changes the HTC value of the mold to 880 (W/(m²K)). A medium layer changes the HTC value of the mold to 630 (W/(m²K)). A thick layer changes the HTC value of the mold to 500 (W/(m²*K)).