2008-May-17 - General Casting Information
Casting can be defined as a process of manufacturing, which implies pouring of a 'liquid' material into 'A Mold' containing a desired shaped hollow cavity, and then made to solidify. The ejection or breaking out of the casting then takes place to get the process completed. The use of casting is 'forming hot liquid metals' or numerous metals that are cooled after having the components like clay, plaster, concrete, and epoxies mixed. Complex shapes are normally made by casting, as other methods are not feasible. Casting came into being around 6000 years ago. 'Copper Frog' is the most ancient casting existing till date since 3200 BC. The process of casting has two distinct subdivisions: non-expendable and expendable mold casting.
'Non-expendable' mold casting: This technique is inclusive of at least 4 distinct methods: continuous, centrifugal, die, and permanent casting.
Continuous casting: Continuous casting can be defined as a refined process of casting for high-volume, continuous production of 'metal sections' with constant cross-section. The pouring of molten metal into a water-cooled, open-ended copper mold takes place. This allows a 'layer' of 'solid metal' to be formed above the 'still-liquid' center. Continuous casting is widely accepted due to its cost-effectiveness. The metals continuously cast are aluminum, copper, and steel.
Centifugal casting: Centrifugal casting is independent of both-pressure and gravity. This is because its own 'force feed' is created by the way of using a 'temporary sand mold' in 'spinning chamber' at 900 N. Lead time is variant with respect to application. True- and semi-centrifugal processing allow 30 to 50 pieces/hr. The batch processing has an upper limit of around 9000 Kg (practically). This method used to be applied for 'Casting of Railway Wheels'. It was developed by the company called 'Krupp'. It had a German origin. Jewelry is normally cast by this method.
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