Thursday, February 11, 2010

Finite Element Modeling

My first, modest, steps in modeling the heaterbarrel. Starting with a 2D model. Not taking into account real-life stuff such as convection, radiation and other effects (I am probably not even aware of :-)







First tried to get ElmerFEM to compile on Intel Mac to find out it crashed anyway. Then recently I found FreeFEM++ which is perfectly suited for this purpose.

Before I can add some more sensible comments to this post I have to re-read some old math and physics textbooks first. Partial differential equations, thermal diffusivitiy. All this may take some time ;-)

Please mail me your findings on your 3D printing heaterbarrel FEM approach.

Todays' update; 3D image (FreeFEM3D icw medit) of the heaterbarrel and NiCr Heater coil model.