Methods of digitalization of foundry and metallurgical production: virtual engineering, digital twin, additive technologies

Abstract

The age of information technology dictates to the world its priorities, the consideration of which is a prerequisite for building a competitive national economy. The most important priority in the XXI century is a transition to digitalization. Large-scale spread of digital technologies can provide economic growth, create a synergistic effect that extends to the economic, social, technological, intellectual and infrastructural components of development. Three methods of digitalization, which is designed to radically change production, on the examples of the manufacture of cast metal structures are presented in this article. The concept of "virtual engineering" as a modern interpretation of the design and commissioning of the process, including metal casting, is considered. Creation of high-tech products and productions is an interdependent complex of scientific, design, technological and production works. Virtual engineering of the metal casting process on gasified models is performed in Phy-sico-technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of the NAS of Ukraine (PTIMA NASU) in the department headed by O.I. Shin-sky and, in addition to the design of production equipment, includes the design of modeling equipment, treatment equipment, automation of technological processes and environmental monitoring of the entire production cycle that are commissioning in the conditions of the created productions. The method of digital twin products is determined by what indicators should be optimized for the characteristics of the product itself or the technology of its production, with designers using simulation models in the form of digital data. The main methods of additive production of patterns and sand molds for the manufacture of metal castings are considered, according to which the product is built in layers by the method of 3D printing, and the process is controlled by a computer program. The data on the volume of growth of the market of additive technologies and an example of a 3D-printer for wire melt printing are shown.