The project entitled "SimulationDB - technological know-how management system dedicated to the foundry industry" is implemented as an Applied Research Programme (PBS) of the National Centre for Research and Development. PBS is a horizontal support programme for the scientific sector and businesses in the scope of applied research in various scientific disciplines.

 

The project is implemented as a consortium of:

The aim of the project is to create a new generation of technology-developing tools in the form of the SimulationDB system, drawing from our experience in developing such systems to date, while expanding it by adding new, necessary modules to quickly identify qualitative characteristics of a cast, circulate technical documentation more efficiently, perform advanced analysis of technologies developed, support technologists in their decision-making process in a smart way, train and provide new practical knowledge to young inexperienced staff, report on the technological and production process, compare virtual simulations with the actual process, optimise the preparation of casting production, monitor and manage the quality control system.

The number of simulations performed in the foundry industry is growing rapidly, generating terabytes of digital data, which need to be processed and interpreted accordingly – while reacting immediately to any irregularities during the casting and/or chilling process. It can only be done by highly-qualified expert engineers. Their knowledge, practical experience, skills and ability to use innovative engineering tools, supporting different stages of the production preparation process, determine the speed of the technology development process, while maintaining quality and strength parameters. Appropriately recorded practical know-how, technologist's operating procedures, simulation results and data on the entire casting production process are contained in the technological database of SimulationDB, creating a necessary tool for the modern technologist. Using the technological knowledge stored in the SimulationDB system makes it possible to develop technologies faster, solve technological problems efficiently, train specialised staff, which consequently creates added value. Growing calculation abilities of computers and optimised calculation algorithms significantly increase the amount of computer simulations performed, which generate very large amounts of data. Due to the storage method (catalogue structure) and inability to perform searches, such data is very rarely used again to develop new technologies. Moreover, skilful and efficient management of such a large amount of information is impossible without specialised, dedicated IT tools.