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The paper refers to previous publications of the author, focused on criteria of casting feeding, including the thermal criterion proposed by Niyama. On the basis of this criterion, present in the post-processing of practically all the simulation codes, danger of casting compactness (in the sense of soundness) in form of a microporosity, caused by the shrinkage phenomena, is predicted. The vast majority of publications in this field concerns shrinkage and feeding phenomena in the cast steel castings – these are the alloys, in which parallel expansion phenomenon does not occur as in the cast irons (graphite crystallization). The paper, basing on the simulation-experimental studies, presents problems of usability of a classic, definition-based approach to the Niyama criterion for the cast iron castings, especially of greater massiveness, for prediction of presence of zones of dispersed porosity, with relation to predictions of the shrinkage type defects. The graphite expansion and its influence on shrinkage compensation during solidification of eutectic is also discussed.

The paper presents the results of experimental-simulation tests of expansion-shrinkage phenomena occurring in cast iron castings. The tests were based on the standard test for inspecting the tendency of steel-carbon alloys to create compacted discontinuities of the pipe shrinkage type. The cast alloy was a high-silicone ductile iron of GJS - 600 - 10 grade. The validation regarding correctness of prognoses of the shrinkage defects was applied mostly to the simulation code (system) NovaFlow & Solid CV (NFS CV). The obtained results were referred to the results obtained using the Procast system (macro- and micromodel). The analysis of sensitivity of the modules responsible for predicting the shrinkage discontinuities on selected pre-processing parameters was performed, focusing mostly on critical fractions concerning the feeding flows (mass and capillary) and variation of initial temperature of the alloy in the mould and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the casting - chill interface.

The paper is focused on properties testing of materials used in form of iso-exo sleeves for risers in ferrous alloys foundry. They are grainyfibrous materials, containing components which initiate and upkeep exothermic reaction. Thermo-physical parameters characterizing such sleeves are necessary also to fill in reliable databases for computer simulation of processes in the casting-mould layout. Studies with use of a liquid alloy, especially regarding different sleeves bring valuable results, but are also relatively expensive and require longer test preparation time. A simplified method of study in laboratory conditions was proposed, in a furnace heated to a temperature above ignition temperature of sleeve material (initiation of exothermic reaction). This method allows to determine the basic parameters of each new sleeve supplied to foundries and assures relatively quick evaluation of sleeve quality, by comparison with previous sleeve supplies or with sleeves brought by new providers.

The paper presents an original method of measuring the actual chromite content in the circulating moulding sand of foundry. This type of material is applied for production of moulds. This is the case of foundry which most frequently perform heavy casting in which for the construction of chemical hardening mould is used, both the quartz sand and chromite sand. After the dry reclamation of used moulding sand, both types of sands are mixed in various ratios resulting that in reclaimed sand silos, the layers of varying content of chromite in mixture are observed. For chromite recuperation from the circulating moulding sand there are applied the appropriate installations equipped with separate elements generating locally strong magnetic field. The knowledge of the current ratio of chromite and quartz sand allows to optimize the settings of installation and control of the separation efficiency. The arduous and time-consuming method of determining the content of chromite using bromoform liquid requires operational powers and precautions during using this toxic liquid. It was developed and tested the new, uncomplicated gravimetric laboratory method using powerful permanent magnets (neodymium). The method is used in the production conditions of casting for current inspection of chromite quantity in used sand in reclamation plant.

The paper undertakes an important topic of evaluation of effectiveness of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, used for monitoring and control of selected processing parameters of classic green sands used in foundry. Main focus was put on process studies of properties of so-called 1st generation molding sands in the respect of their preparation process. Possible methods of control of this processing are presented, with consideration of application of fresh raw materials, return sand (regenerate) and water. The studies conducted in one of European foundries were aimed at pointing out how much application of new, automated plant of sand processing incorporating the SCADA systems allows stabilizing results of measurement of selected sand parameters after its mixing. The studies concerned two comparative periods of time, before an implementation of the automated devices for green sands processing (ASMS - Automatic Sand Measurement System and MCM – Main Control Module) and after the implementation. Results of measurement of selected sand properties after implementation of the ASMS were also evaluated and compared with testing studies conducted periodically in laboratory.

The validation of each simulation code used in foundry domain requires individual approach due to its specificity. This validation can by elaborated on the basis of experimental results or in particular cases by comparison the simulation results from different codes. The article concerns the influence of grey cast iron density curve and different forms of solid fraction curve Fs=f(T) on the formation of shrinkage discontinuities. Solid fraction curves applying Newtonian Thermal Analysis (NTA) were estimated. The experimental and numerical simulation tests were performed on the castings, which were made with Derivative Thermal Analysis (DerTA) standard cups. The numerical tests were realized using NovaFlow&Solid (NF&S), ProCast and Vulcan codes. In this work, the coupled influence of both curves on the dynamics of the shrinkage-expansion phenomena and on shrinkage defects prognosis in grey cast iron castings has been revealed. The final evaluation of the simulation systems usefulness should be based on validation experiment, preceded by comparing the simulation results of available systems which are proposed in given technology.

The paper concerns the problem of discontinuity in high pressure die castings (HPDC). The compactness of their structure is not perfect, as it is sometimes believed. The discontinuities present in these castings are the porosity as follow: shrinkage and gas (hydrogen and gas-air occlusions) origin. The mixed gas and shrinkage nature of porosity makes it difficult to identify and indicate the dominant source. The selected parameters of metallurgical quality of AlSi9Cu3 alloy before and after refining and the gravity castings samples (as DI - density index method), were tested and evaluated. This alloy was served to cast the test casting by HPDC method. The penetrating testing (PT) and metallographic study of both kinds of castings were realized. The application of the NF&S simulation system allowed virtually to indicate the porosity zones at risk of a particular type in gravity and high-pressure-die-castings. The comparing of these results with the experiment allowed to conclude about NF&S models validation. The validity of hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of formation and development of porosity in HPDC casting were also analyzed.

The paper indicates the significance of the problem of foundry processes parameters stability supervision and assessment. The parameters, which can be effectively tracked and analysed using dedicated computer systems for data acquisition and exploration (Acquisition and Data Mining systems, A&D systems) were pointed out. The state of research and methods of solving production problems with the help of computational intelligence systems (Computational Intelligence, CI) were characterised. The research part shows capabilities of an original A&DM system in the aspect of selected analyses of recorded data for cast defects (effect) forecast on the example of a chosen iron foundry. Implementation tests and analyses were performed based on selected assortments for grey and nodular cast iron grades (castings with 50 kg maximum weight, casting on automatic moulding lines for disposable green sand moulds). Validation tests results, applied methods and algorithms (the original system's operation in real production conditions) confirmed the effectiveness of the assumptions and application of the methods described. Usability, as well as benefits of using A&DM systems in foundries are measurable and lead to stabilisation of production conditions in particular sections included in the area of use of these systems, and as a result to improvement of casting quality and reduction of defect number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant development of the foundry industry contributes to the creation of high reliability and operational strength castings so that they meet specific standards in accordance with customers' needs. This technology, however, is inseparably connected with casting defects in finished products. Cast products are subject to various defects which are considered acceptable or not, which is conditioned by the alloy chemical composition and strength characteristics, that is, generally - qualities to be agreed between the foundry and the customer. It is the latter that led the authors to research on designing a tool enabling the most reliable possible assessment of the emerging casting defects, which after proper consultations can be repaired and the casting - sold. The paper presents an original tool named the Open Atlas of Defects (OAD), developed for the last few years to support the evaluation of cast iron defects using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) casting defects analysis tools (DCC card - Demerit Control Chart, Pareto-Lorenz analysis and ABC analysis). The OAD tool structure was presented as an integral part of the original system module for acquisition and data mining (A&DM) in conjunction with the possibilities of using selected tools for defect analysis support on the example of cast iron casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the bibliography regarding the connection of knowledge about precious metal alloys and aspects of the use of computer aided technologies to the optimization of the jewelry casting processes is presented. An analysis of the usability of selected CAx systems was made: 1) for spatial design, called Rhinoceros 6 and 2) CAE system: NovaFlow & Solid (NF&S). The authors describe own research including data acquisition and evaluation of temperature variations during solidification of the selected Au-Ag-Cu alloy, with the identification of the phase transformations of this alloy. The intensity of heat exchange was changed (cooling of specimens under ambient temperature conditions - "normal" intensity and with the furnace - very slow cooling). The problem of completing the simulation database was pointed out and analysed. Examples of simulations of casting selected jewelry (ring and signet) were given and compared with the result of the experiment realized in real conditions. It was confirmed that the optimization by combining experimental and simulation studies allows for the acquisition of new knowledge, and also facilitates the creation of new artistic designs of jewelry as well as performing the feasibility check, and then optimizing the chosen technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper includes validation studies of the flow module of the NovaFlow&Solid simulation code. Experiments of ductile iron and gray iron casting in a spiral test of castability were carried out. Casting experiments were then carried out in industrial conditions in the Ferrex Foundry in Poznań and the results are the castability spiral length and local cast iron rate during mould cavity pouring. Simulation tests using NovaFlow&Solid Control Volume code were made. The technological castability test was used to determine thermal-physical data through simplified inversion problem. Influence of physical parameters in the database of simulation code on the spiral length obtained as the result of simulation was analyzed. It was found that critical fraction of capillary flow CLFdown has the biggest impact on cast iron castability in the simulation code. The simulations resulted in defining parameters of gray iron GJL 250 and ductile iron GJS-400-15. For the parameters set, the length of castability spiral in simulations was in accordance with casting experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper refers to earlier publications of the author, on identification of properties of thermomechanical, chemically hardened core/mold sands. In that earlier period, first version of the original DMA apparatus, produced by a Polish company Multiserw-Morek, was used. The Hot Distortion (HD) study results, published by the author in 2008, referred to phenomena accompanying a thermal shock in real conditions of thermal interaction of a liquid alloy on a mold, in reference to a shock possible to obtain in laboratory conditions, without use of liquid alloy as a heat source, with analysis of solutions applied in the DMA apparatus. This paper presents author's observations on testing a new, innovative version of the LRu-DMA apparatus, containing a module allowing the Hot Distortion (HD) study. Temperature of specimens achieved in the case of the gas burner heating reaches values definitely above 800°C on the heated side and 610°C on the other side. Using an electric radiator, with maximal temperature of 900°C allows obtaining temperatures in between 225-300°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of casting conditions on microstructure a and mechanical properties was described, especially for cast products from AlSi9Cu3 alloy. Particular attention was paid to the parameters of dendritic structure: DAS 1 and DAS 2. Selected mechanical properties (by static tension test) of test castings made using basic technologies of casting: GSC - gravity sand casting, GDC - gravity die-casting and HPDC - high-pressure die-casting, are presented for cast-on test bars and cast separately. Casts were made of the same alloy AlSi9Cu3. Fractures and the zone near the fracture (after static tension test) was subjected to VT - visual tests, PT - penetration tests and metallographic tests. The condition of porosity (fracture zone) was also assessed. The analysis of virtual results was performed using the NovaFlow & Solid system together with the database and they were compared to experimental tests. This way of validation was applied in order to assess the correlation between the local rate of cooling and the size of DAS for GSC, GDC and HPDC technologies. Finally the correlation between the parameters of structure and mechanical properties with regard to the impact of porosity was signalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an example of analysis of the influence of selected parameters deriving from data acquisition in foundries on the occurrence of Gas porosity defects (detected by Visual testing) in castings of ductile cast iron. The possibilities as well as related effectiveness of prediction of this kind of defects were assessed. The need to rationally limit the number of possible parameters affecting this kind of porosity was indicated. Authors also benefited from expert group's expertise in evaluating possible causes associated with the creation of the aforementioned defect. A ranking of these parameters was created and their impact on the occurrence of the defect was determined. The classic statistical tools were used. The possibility of unexpected links between parameters in case of uncritical use of these typical statistical tools was indicated. It was emphasized also that the acquisition realized in production conditions must be subject to a specific procedure ordering chronology and frequency of data measurements as well improving the casting quality control. Failure to meet these conditions will significantly affect the difficulties in implementing and correcting analysis results, from which INput/OUTput data is expected to be the basis for modelling for quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]