In many industries modern simulation tools are successfully applied for the improvement of materials and processes, while in jewelry technology their potential is only used to a limited extent. This paper describes different simulation methods and show how these can be applied in jewelry technology in a meaningful way. Thermodynamic simulations allow the calculation of phase diagrams, which are required for alloy design, heat treatment processes and to understand segregation phenomena. In contrast to binary and ternary diagrams from handbooks, simulation allows dealing with real multi-component alloys. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to describe the complex situations during casting and solidification. However, rather than providing exact solutions up to the last process parameter, CFD simulation can be a tool for improving casting quality in order to establish helpful guidelines. The potential and requirements for further use of simulation techniques in jewelry technology will be discussed.

Authors: Dr. Ulrich E. Klotz, Dario Tiberto