FLOW-ANALYSIS ALONG THE RUNNER AND GATING SYSTEM OF A CASTING PROCESS

Simulation of molten metal flow along runner and gating system of pres sure diecasting is carried out. Network analysis method is used for th is simulation with the aid of a program written in FORTRAN language. T his method is chosen to reduce the amount of computation needed. Analy sis was done on runner and gating system with four gates. The angles o f the branches leading to the gate and mould cavities an varied from 4 0 degrees to 90 degrees. This is to find out the pressure needed to be applied by the plunger of the injection system during the casting pro cess and how branch angle of the runner and gating system affect it. M etal front movement will also be determined. The results of this study shows that smaller branch angle will require less pressure to fill th e runner and gating system. The time required to fill the runner and g ating system takes longer when smaller branch angle is used. Bend and large cross sectional area changes should be reduced as this leads to high pressure needed to be applied by the plunger. Larger time interva l may be used without affecting the accuracy of the pressure calculate d.