Modelling in Squeeze Casting Process-Present State and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The growing demand in today’s competitive manufacturing environment has encouraged the researchers to develop and apply modelling tools. The development and application of modelling tools help the casting industries to considerably increase productivity and casting quality. Till date there is no universal standard available to model and optimize any of the manufacturing processes. However the present work discusses the advantages and limitations of some conventional and non-conventional modelling tools applied for various casting processes. In addition the research effort made by various authors till date in modelling and optimization of the squeeze casting process has been reported. Furthermore the necessary steps for prediction and optimization are high lightened by identifying the trends in the literature. Ultimately this research paper explores the scope for future research in online control of the process by automatically adjusting the squeeze cast process parameters through reverse prediction by utilizing the soft computing tools namely, Neural Network, Genetic Algorithms, Fuzzy-logic Controllers and their different combinations. The present work also proposed a detailed methodology, starting from the selection of process variables till the best process variable combinations for extreme values of the outputs responsible for better product quality using experimental, prediction and optimization methodology.