MAKING THE NUMBERS


Driven by customer needs, Eck Industries developed a tool to design a gating system optimized for specific mechanical properties.


DAN HOEFERT AND DAVID WEISS, ECK INDUSTRIES INC., MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN, AND REINHARD VOMHOF, RWP GMBH, ROETGEN, GERMANY


W


hen custom- ers come to Eck Industries seeking properties in alu- minum, conver-


sations tend to quickly zero in on copper-based aluminum alloys such as A206 and B206. Te published mechanical prop-


erty data is available, so metalcast- ing personnel and designers know what to expect from these materials. But, as any metalcaster knows, these properties are not a well homog- enized given that can be anticipated throughout a casting. Te best properties will be found in areas with large thermal gradients and areas


well chilled with adequate feed metal nearby. Areas adjacent to gates, areas under feeders (risers) and isolated thicker casting sections are going to see a reduction in properties. Te normal obstacles of avoiding issues with oxide formation, loose sand and the outgassing of binder resin within sand cores also play a part in ruining


an otherwise good chance at obtain- ing great properties. How can metalcasters go about designing a gating system that will ensure a tranquil fill, proper feed- ing and adequate chilling to obtain excellent properties of 206 in all the specified areas of a casting as defined per customer requirements? You


MEDIA RESOURCE Using the Actable App, scan this page to watch a video on casting 200-series aluminum alloys. For instructions on how to use the app, go to page 4. To watch online, go to www.metalcastingtv.com.


Engineers at Eck Industries sought to build a modeling tool to predict properties in areas of the cast- ing, as customers may dictate.


June 2013 MODERN CASTING | 29


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