FOUNDRY TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION ABOUT CASTING

Casting is basically melting a solid material, heating to a special temperature, and pouring the molten
material into a cavity or mold, which is in proper shape. Casting has been known by human being since
the 4th century B.C.

Today its nearly impossible to design anything that cannot be by the means of one or more of the
available casting processes. However, as with other manufacturing processes, best results and economy
can be achieved if the designer understands the various casting process and adapts his design so as to
use the process most efficient.

DEFINITION:

Casting involves pouring a liquid metal into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape,
and then is allowed to solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is ejected or broken
out of the mold to complete the process. Casting is most often used for making complex shapes that
would be difficult or uneconomical to make by other methods.

TYPES OF CASTING

a) Sand casting
b) Die casting
c) Investment casting
d) Centrifugal casting
e) Plaster- mould casting
f) Permanent-mold casting
g) Squeeze casting

CASTING TERMINOLOGY

PATTERN

This refers to the principal tool during the casting process. It is the replica of the object to be made by
the casting process, with some modifications. The main modifications are the addition of pattern
allowances, and provision of core prints. If the casting is to be hollow, additional patterns called cores
are used to create these cavities in the finished product. The quality of the casting produced depends
upon the material of the pattern, its design and construction.

PATTERN MATERIAL

The various pattern materials used in industries include;

 Wooden
 metal
  Plastic
 quick setting material

TYPE OF PATTERN

 Solid or single piece pattern

 Split pattern or two –piece pattern
 Cope and drag pattern
 Match plate pattern
 Gated pattern skeleton pattern
 Pattern with loose-pieces