COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN OF GATING SYSTEMS IN MOULDS

Abstract

This dissertation report deals with the design of gating systems by the use of computers, and its verification through experimentation, which involves A-356 alloy (Al-8% Si), poured in green sand moulds. In the first part a computer program was developed in PASCAL to predict the theoretical pouring time, yield and the gating system dimensions. The use of computer graphics was done to show the schematic diagram of the mould cavity and the gating system along with a representation of the filling pattern. The second part involved the setting up of a series of experiments in which the actual times for filling the moulds were accurately measured. Further, practical yield was also calculated. All the moulds were poured at the same temperature and under the same metal head. There was a reasonable agreement in the predicted and observed values of pouring time and yield. Thus, Computer Aided Design can help a foundry engineer to achieve a function-ally and economically sound gating system.