FISIM: an integrated model for simulation of industrial fibre and film processes

Abstract

The present study covers the structure and some applications of FISIM (FIber and film SIMulation), a versatile polymer process modelling package which is being developed by the Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films. Generative programming techniques are used to overcome degradation in performance and storage which is often associated with the C++ language. The process stages are integrated using a component-based design so that configurations representing all or part of a process stage can be easily swapped in and out. The prototype code incorporates filtration, forming, external flow under quench conditions, and drawing, applied to fibre melt-spinning. Visualisation is playing a prominent role, providing a userfriendly means for initialising, monitoring, and post-processing simulation output. Process models, solution strategies, and software tools which are implemented in FISIM are presented, along with comparisons between simulation results and experimental measurements. These ingredients comprise a unique modelling environment which will substantially reduce the need for trial-anderror experiments in the development of new fibre and film processes.