Casting Simulation and Effect of Gating System of an Automotive Wheel Rim

Abstract

Casting simulation is enhancing foundry engineering worldwide. Through this means, foundry engineers can model, simulate, visualise, analyse and modify casting process. SOLIDCast, an advance casting simulation software, is used in this paper to simulate the casting of a typical rim. Imported from a CAD program, the rim model has a diameter of 220mm, a width of 90mm and a thickness of 10mm. An initial simulation was run without any gating system and with the aid of design wizards a gate was added to the model. Then, a final simulation was run. The cooling curve at the end of the final simulation shows a full solidification time of 1.765 minutes. Both simulations were terminated at an ejection temperature of 200oC. The results of both simulations are compared and validation is based on shrinkage porosity and mould temperature.