Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 14

CUTTING-EDGE FEEDING TECHNOLOGY FOR ADVANCED CASTING PROCESSES T he use of exothermic and insulative feeding systems - sleeves and pouring cups - have been common practice for many years. Increasingly over the last three decades, foundries have improved productivity by increasing the number of castings per mold. This economical change has resulted in more restrictive positioning of the feeding sytems on the pattern plate. This reduction in feeder size and contact area makes it challenging to maintain feeding performance. Advancements in manufactured feeding solutions continue to be developed to meet these challenges foundries face with balancing improved processes, productivity and costs while maintaining high quality castings. Insulating materials, exothermic components, specialized resins and engineered feeder designs each uniquely contribute an impact to feeding performance. The product variants together create optimal performance and are specifically or manufactured in-house, these proprietary materials are used to ensure high quality, consistent performance while maintaining low raw material costs. These materials also keep the molding system flourine and foreign material free. Hard Core System – Combined with these engineered materials, advantages of using hard core coldbox feeder geometries with the latest advancements in low emission BioCure Urethane Coldbox Technology is also key for the foundry. These geometries provide consistent dimensional precision, smooth surfaces and high tensile strength for ferrous and non-ferrous applications even in extended storage. Upon use, the binder components breakdown completely with heat and do not affect the molding sand system. Innovation in Design - The apex of the technology is the consideration for the design in each type of the feeding geometries. For instance, the incorporation of a central partition designed into the EK T type feeders produce a higher modulus within a smaller size without any adverse affects on feed performance while yield is increased. The Compact Feeder is a high exothermic formulations with increased wall thickness to utilize smaller, low volume demand in confined positions specifically to address pronounced areas of localized shrinkage. For advanced casting processes, TeleFeeders have proven benefits over traditional designed for the specific application. To appreciate the value that these innovations provide for advanced casting solutions, the most significant will be highlighted. Engineered Materials – Feeder and feeding solutions begin around the innovations and development of the materials to create the properties necessary for a sustained exothermic reaction or highly insulative condition. These materials, combined with engineered designs and the properties of blown hard cores enable technical innovation and advancement to be achieved in feeding solutions. Actively sourced KELLEY KERNS Director, New Business Development HA International LLC ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS: • Manufactured feeding solutions improve processes, productivity and costs • The many new advances in casting processes explained 22