An interface‐update‐based implicit algorithm for mold filling simulation of liquid composite molding

Abstract In this article, a new implicit numerical algorithm has been presented for mold filling simulation in liquid composite molding process. The new implicit numerical algorithm is based on the update of flow interface to track flow front for each time step. Nodes of mesh are divided into three groups, i.e. filled nodes, interface nodes (or partially filled nodes), and empty nodes. Governing equations of filled nodes are solved to obtain pressure distribution; filling fractions of interface nodes are checked to determine if any node is needed to be added to filled nodes or be removed from filled nodes. The local LU factorization solver and preconditioned conjugated gradient iterative solver were employed to investigate the new implicit algorithm. Case studies demonstrated the performance of the proposed implicit algorithm. The new implicit algorithm reduced the computational complexity to below 2.0 power order of problem sizes. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:271–281, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.