Process Knowledge in Foundries by Dr.Hathibelagal Roshan Chief Metallurgist Maynard Steel Casting Company
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Process knowledge in foundries By Dr.Hathibelagal Roshan Chief Metallurgist Maynard Steel Casting Company ABSTRACT: In order to be profitable, foundries need to have adequate process knowledge on the various processes used by them to manufacture the specific parts needed by their customers. In spite of a large number of publications on various aspects of metal casting processes, there appears to be a lack of gap in technology to specifically define process knowledge. Process knowledge is defined as the list of process variables, their collection system, visualization system and analysis to determine the ranges of relevant process variables that are related to the product characteristics for specific castings made in the foundries. It is not adequate to just focus on individual sub-processes in the foundry and try to control its process variables in a general way. It is essential to focus on the critical product characteristics that are related to the acceptance criteria and document the process knowledge relevant to the specific part. It is possible that the process knowledge relevant for one part need not be the same for another part in the same foundry. For example, in the melting of steel with Al content of 0.06 max may be satisfactory for one part and may not be adequate for another part that requires Al 0.03 max in order to meet the product characteristics requirement of the freedom from conchoidal fracture of the test specimens. INTRODUCTION: On average foundries lose a minimum of 5% of their revenue in internal and external failure costs. This indicates that foundries do not have the technology to produce castings without incurring these costs that could affect their profitability. We have a serious problem of Technology Gap in our foundry industry. The gap in technology lies in the lack of process knowledge in foundries and lack of adequate personnel trained in process control. PROCESS KNOWLEDGE: Process knowledge is defined as the list of process variables, their collection system, visualization system and analysis to determine the ranges of relevant process variables that are in deed related to the product characteristics for specific castings made in the foundries. BUSINESS PROCESS: Business process is a series of activities that are performed to produce a defined result. It has inputs which are transformed into outputs. The inputs can be data, material or state of things. Figure 1 shows the process hierarchy. Process in an organization can be divided into several levels such as Level 1 to Level 4 as indicated in figure 1. Level 1 contains highest level management process such as Casting Process. Level 1 process is decomposed into next lower level processes such as various sub-processes in Level 2. Figure 2 shows an example of process decomposition where Level 1 process is decomposed into level 2 processes. PROCESS CLASSIFICATION: In order to develop a computer based tool, there is a need for a hierarchal classification of the process and sub- process families. Figure 3 shows the taxonomy of the kingdom of PROCESS with part of shaping family expanded. The process kingdom has three families: shaping, joining and finishing. One of the families, namely shaping, is expanded to show classes namely: molding, deformation, casting etc. One these classes, namely casting is again expanded to show its members and sub-members. 1 METALCASTING PROCESS: Metal casting process is not a single process and has several Level 2 sub-processes. In order to define process knowledge, the various sub-processes can be identified as follows. The appropriate codes for each of the sub- processes are indicated in the parentheses against each of the sub-processes. Member Steel and sub-member Nobake are chosen for this classification. 1. Patternmaking/Methoding (GS-NB-1) 2. Molding (GS-NB-2) 3. Coremaking (GS-NB-3) 4. Melting (GS-NB-4) 5. Ladle/Pouring (GS-NB-5) 6. Shakeout (GS-NB-6) 7. Heat Treatment (GS-NB-7) 8. Welding (GS-NB-8) 9. Cleaning (GS-NB-9) PROCESS KNOWLEDGE: Process knowledge can be represented into the following components: 1. Factor Response Table (1) 2. Process Map – Box-Arrow Diagram (2) 3. Process Flow Chart (3) 4. Swimlane Process Map (4) 5. SIPOC diagram with FPRs (5) 6. Value Stream Map (6) 7. Cause and Effect Diagram (7) 8. Cause and Effect Matrix (8) 9. FMEA (9) 10. P-Matrix Case studies (10) 11. Published Literature (11) Examples of each of the above are given below 1. FACTOR RESPONSE TABLE: Responses are the outcome of processes that are relevant to either internal or external customers. For the purpose of defining process knowledge, the various responses are identified as follows: Major categories of responses are given below: Y1: Casting Dimensions Y2: Casting Defects Y3: DPMOs Y4: Quality Costs 2 Each of the above major response categories are again expanded to sub-categories of responses as indicated below. Code Name Y1-1 Casting Dimensions Y2-1 Runout Y2-2 Inclusions Y2-3 Shrinkage Y2-4 Misrun Y2-5 Erosion Y2-6 Penetration Y2-7 Hot Tear Y2-8 Type II Sulfides Y2-9 Incorrect impacts Y2-10 Incorrect mechanicals Y2-11 Blowholes- Pinholes Y2-12 Cracks Y2-13 Broken Molds Y2-14 Flash Y3-1 DPMO-Redlights Y3-2 DPMO-Missed Deliveries Y3-3 DPMO-Quality issues Y3-4 DPMO-Retests Y3-5 DPMO-ReHeatTreats Y4-1 Quality Cost-Internal Failure Y4-2 Quality Cost-External Failure It is necessary to determine which responses are relevant to the various sub-processes in the foundry. Also, it is necessary to identify the various factors and the corresponding responses in the various sub-processes in the foundry. Examples of process knowledge in the form of Factor-Response tables relating to the various sub- processes are shown in tables 1 to 9 below. 3 Table 1: PATTERNMAKING/METHODING (GS-NB-1-1) Response Remarks on significance of factor in r of (Y) relation to the response od Sub- (X) nos/ Meth Meas Discr Prt Spc Conti Facto uremt Casting Units Pattern Flatness Calibrated Inches Continu Casting Generally ribs are placed under the pattern board (X1-1) Straight Edge ous Dimension Y1-1 to support the weight of the pattern and the weight of sand during moldmaking. The pattern board shall not sag enough to distort the parting line Patter Shrink Calibrated Correct/ Discrete Critical Casting Choosing the appropriate shrink rule is essential Rule, Straight Edge Incorrect Dimensions for correct casting dimensions. Verify whehter % (X1-2) Y1-2..N the pattern and core boxes are made to correct shrink rule Casting to Flask Tape Inches Continu Casting Defect Correct selection of flask size and its relationship Relationship Measurement ous (RunOut) Y2-1 to the gating as well as casting to the flask wall (X1-3) are important to minimize metal penetrating to the flask during mold filling. If the metal is too close to the wall, the potential for the metal penetrating the wall will be high. Core print areas also need to be considered Gating Ratio Tape Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect Gating ratio is defined as the SprueBase Area: (X1-4) Measurement (Inclusions) Total Runner Area: Total Ingate Area. In a and Y2-2 pressurized gating system, choke exists at the calculation ingate and controls the flow rate. In a non- pressurized gating system, choke does not exist at the ingate and will be upstream, either in the runner or at the sprue base. For gray irons and ductile irons, a pressurized gating system is generally used. For Aluminum alloys and steels, a non-pressurized system is used. Location of Visual Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect In a pressurized gating system, runner should ingates and observation (Inclusions) be in cope and the ingates also in the cope at runner relative Y2-2 the parting surface. In the Non-Pressurized to the parting gating system, runner should be in the drag surface and the ingates in the cope at the parting (X1-5) surface. 1. Patternmaking / Methoding Type of Gating: Visual Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect Bottom gating is preferred for steel castings. Bottom/Parting observation (Inclusions) Line/Fountain/T Y2-2 angential (X1-6) Compatible Visual Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect nozzle diameter observation (Inclusions) to Sprue Y2-2 Diameter in bottom pour ladles (X1-7) Modulus Ratio Tape Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect Modulus ratio is defined as the ratio of (X1-8) Measurement (Shrinkage) Y2-3 casting modulus: Riser neck Modulus: Riser and Modulus.In general the ratio should be 1: 1.1: calculation 1.2 for steel castings. Verify whether you have a satisfactory modulus ratio Total Weight of Weight Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect Available feed metal from a cylindrical sand the risers in Measurement (Shrinkage) Y2-3 riser is 10-12% available feed metal from a relation to the and conical sand riser is 15-20% available feed casting weight calculation metal from a insulating sleeve riser is 20% plus gating available feed metal from an exothermic system (X1-9) sleeve riser is 30%. Based on the type of riser, verify whether your riser weight is adequate or not 4 Table 1: PATTERNMAKING/METHODING (GS-NB-1-1)(Contd.) e g Response Remarks on significance of factor in s/ of mt (X) Sub- C/D Ran (Y) relation to the response Prt Spc Process Casting Method Units Contino Factor Discrete Discrete Measure Blind Riser Visual Yes/No Discrete Casting Defect Care should be taken while designing the blind Design with observation (Shrinkage) Y2-3 risers. They will be effective only when the Williams Core atmospheric pressure acts on the liquid metal (X1-10) inside the riser. Williams cores or V-notches need to be provided on the blind risers to permit the atmospheric pressure act on the blind risers.