A KNOWLEDGE-BASE FOR ALLOY AND PROCESS SELECTION FOR CASTING

This paper describes a computer-installed interactive knowledge base that facilitates the choice of alloy and casting method, given a component design and specification. The input comprises certain mechanical and physical properties, dimensions and the quantity of castings to be made. The system will select a list of alloys whose properties fall within the input specification. The user may refine the list by tightening the specification, or select an alloy from it, on the basis of requirements not specified to the software. Alternative ways of addressing the knowledge base are either through chemical composition or an internationally recognized specification. Casting alloys currently contained in the knowledge base are aluminium alloys, copper alloys, cast irons and steels. Once an alloy has been selected, the most suitable casting process may be determined by inputting the number of castings to be made and physical details such as weight, size of surface features, holes, and dimensional tolerances. A user, unskilled in foundry technology, may examine alternative manufacturing routes and select the best one for particular engineering requirements.