A KNOWLEDGE-BASE FOR ALLOY AND PROCESS SELECTION FOR CASTING

This paper describes a computer-installed interactive knowledge base t hat facilitates the choice of alloy and casting method, given a compon ent design and specification. The input comprises certain mechanical a nd physical properties, dimensions and the quantity of castings to be made. The system will select a list of alloys whose properties fall wi thin the input specification. The user may refine the list by tighteni ng the specification, or select an alloy from it, on the basis of requ irements not specified to the software. Alternative ways of addressing the knowledge base are either through chemical composition or an inte rnationally recognized specification. Casting alloys currently contain ed in the knowledge base are aluminium alloys, copper alloys, cast iro ns and steels. Once an alloy has been selected, the most suitable cast ing process may be determined by inputting the number of castings to b e made and physical details such as weight, size of surface features, holes, and dimensional tolerances. A user, unskilled in foundry techno logy, may examine alternative manufacturing routes and select the best one for particular engineering requirements.