It is possible to run multiple instances of both SOLIDCast and FLOWCast on a single machine. This allows you to take advantage of multi-core processors. If you have sufficient memory, this can be very efficient, and one simulation will not affect or slow down another.

 

Another way to improve efficiency is to run simulations at times when the computer would not normally be used, such as at night. This is done by setting up and running a queue, which is simply a list of solidification simulations and/or fluid flow analyses.

 

When you have a mesh ready to run, go to the Mesh Menu, which is shown here:

 

 

If you select Start Simulation, you will see a window like this:

 

 

You have all the ‘normal’ options available, and you can also click the button labeled Add to Queue. If you do this, the mesh will be placed in the queue to run when the queue is activated.

 

If you only want to run a FLOWCast fluid flow analysis on this mesh, you can select Add FLOWCast to Queue from the Mesh Menu instead. This will place the mesh into the queue, but will only run a flow simulation, and not a solidification analysis.

 

In order to see the status of the queue, go to Tools…Queue Viewer. You should see something like this, if the queue is not actively running:

 

 

This example shows two items in the queue, one solidification simulation and one fluid flow analysis. Nothing is currently running.

 

To get things going, click the Start Queue button. The system will begin processing the first entry in the queue. The Queue Viewer will show the current status, as shown here:

 

 

If there is any item you want to remove from the queue, highlight it in the window, then click Delete. You will be asked to confirm this choice:

 

 

You can exit the queue viewer at any time by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.