Pattern and Feeder Design for the Production of Gray Cast Iron Brackets

Abstract

In this paper, the design and production of sand casting for a gray cast iron bracket was carried out. The bracket was divided into different sections called Appendages A, B, C and D, and Ribs E and F. Efficient feeder design is important so as to minimize casting defects such as porosity and incomplete filling to the barest minimum. The feeder or riser is used to feed metal to the casting as it solidifies; therefore they are designed and positioned such as to ensure filling the cavity during solidification. The implication of this is that the riser must be designed to be large enough so that it solidifies only after the casting and it should contain a sufficient volume of metal capable of supplying the shrinkage contraction which occurs on cooling from the casting temperature to the completion of solidification. Based on the feeder design in this work, two bracket castings were produced.