© 2018, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.211 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1813 Quality improvement in cover support casting using Auto-CAST software N. D. Jadhav 1 , Bipin Diwakar 2 1 Assistant Professor, Mechanical Department, Ashokrao Mane Group Of Institutions, Vatahar, Kolhapur,India. 2 Student, KLE DR.M.S Sheshgiri college of engineering and Technology, Belagavi, India. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------***------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract : The soundness of casting depends upon how the metal enters a mold and solidifies. Actually, many factors must be controlled if good castings are to be obtained. The gating and Risering Committee of American Foundrymens Society has done much towards standardizing the nomenclature in connection with feeding of castings. In mass production, it is almost impossible to inspect each and every product that is produced and hence we are forced to adapt to production techniques that need minimum or no quality inspection involved. In the sand casting process that we adopt, the casting component is modeled first, using NX10 modeling software. Once the component is modeled, it is simulated using unique casting software known as AUTOCAST. As the result of simulation, a proper gating system is designed. A perfect gating system for the casting ensures defect free components and shuns quality inspection. The design of gating system consists of various elements like pouring basin, sprue, sprue well, runner and in-gates. They act as the way for the flow of molten metal from pouring basin to various parts of the mold cavity and with influencing the casting quality and economy. Number of casting defects are happens due to the faulty design of the gating system and poor pouring. Proper design of feeder helps in avoiding the solidification related defects (hot spot). Also helps in improving the yield of the casting. Keywards: NX10, AUTOCAST, gating system, casting defects, casting inspection. 1. Introduction: Many researchers reported that about 90% of the defects in castings are due to improper design of gating and rising system and only 10% due to manufacturing problems due handling and storage of molds, improper pouring temperature and time etc[1]. Casting simulation process can able to overcome these problems by detecting location of Hot spot. It has observed that various type of simulation software has used in foundry [5], out of which AutoCAST based casting simulation software is used in organization. To detect these defects we have gone through the casting simulation. Computer simulation provides a clear insight regarding the location and extent of internal defects, ensuring castings are right first time and every time. It however, requires a 3D CATIA model of the method layout (with mold cavities, cores, feeders, and gating channels), proper setting of boundary conditions for each virtual trial, and correct interpretation of results. AutoCAST software integrates and automates the above tasks, and provides an extremely easy to use graphical user interface suitable for even first time computer users[7]. The mold cavities, feeders and gating system are automatically optimized, driven by the criteria and constraints specified by user. This reduces the total time for methods design and simulation of a typical casting to less than one hour. 3. Steps involved in Auto-CAST simulation:[5] 1. Solid model a cast part and save it as a .igs file. 2. Browse and upload the casting model file here. 3. Wait till the simulation results are displayed. 4. Identify hot spots. Decide feeder size and location. 5. Model the part with feeder and save as a .igs file. 6. Simulate again and check the location of hot spots. 7. If hot spots are not shifted inside feeders, repeat 4-6. 4. Problem Identification: Cover Support is a Product of Zeal Engineers. In This case study Mainly Three Defects Shrinkage, Cracks, Moisture was observed. Shrinking defect occurs due to lack of design and insufficient feed metal. A crack occurs due to number of reasons. Some cracks visible by naked eye and too small cracks need to magnify for observation. Moisture defect occurring due to temperature changes in climates or environment. That means moisture contents present in the atmospheric air. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 05 Issue: 08 | Aug 2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072