CAD System For Cylindric Magnesium Alloy Casting By Low Pressure Casting Process

Due to smooth mold filling, directional solidification and feeding under pressure, the low pressure casting process is one of well suitable methods to product the cylindric magnesium alloy casting. The design of the gate system is of particular importance in controlling the quality and performance of the castings. Usually, a slot gating system is used for the magnesium alloy casting in low pressure gating process. In this paper, the design methodology of the slot gate system is investigated, the database of the casting process is established, and a CAD system of the low pressure casting process is developed for the cylindric magnesium alloy casting.Based on the numerical simulation and real casting experiment, the influence of the slot gate system on the filling and solidification process of the cylindric magnesium alloy casting is studied. With the VBA (Visual Basic for Application) technology, the CAD system is constructed on the secondary development platform of the AutoCAD2004. A parameter-interrelating Access database built in the CAD system is realized by using DAO (Data Access Object) data interface. The system utilizes the parameterized technology, a 3-dimensional solid model can be automatically generated by the system, and the design efficiency is obviously enhanced.The CAD system been initially applied to the gating system design of some magnesium alloy castings from the missile industry, and the design results were analyzed and verified with numerical simulation and real casting production. The results show that the present CAD system is satisfactory, and the design efficiency and validity of the gating system design are improved.