Robust, and FLEXible CAST iron manufacturing
Summary
The FLEXICAST project presents knowledge-based technologies that aim to follow the way to transform the conventional (batch-by-batch) foundry process into a flexible (mold-by-mold) process. The proposal technologies will be applicable not only to new cast iron foundry lines, but also is readily available to be retro-fitted to existing plants.
The specific objectives are:
a) A cast iron production cell. Together with melting, treatment and pouring sub processes in a cast iron production cell is essential and imperative. We propose to install the melting shop closer to the pouring system kept closed on the mould carrousel, while the transfer and treatment ladle is removed. The widespread adoption of new melting shop as an operating process is in itself fostering the creation of even more powerful induction-plasma power supplies, versatile melt control technology, high-power density furnaces, temperature control systems, nodularization systems(magnesium vapour), inoculation systems, and automated pouring systems.
b) Integration of Artificial Intelligence-based Control System. The objective is to develop a software platform. This can help us to the prediction of local structures, phases and ultimately the local mechanical properties, to asses casting quality in the foundry. In this point, also, three specific methodologies will be studied and improved: DTA analysis and on-line microstructural analysis and X-ray for on-line inspection.
c) A robot cell for automated metal finishing processes.
d) Demo pilot plant in real industrial settings in order to demonstrate a clear breakthrough using project development in comparison with the state-of-art solutions.
Some results are:
a) Cast iron manufacturing cell represents, at least, 30% energy reduction in comparison with conventional melting systems.
b) Drastic reduction melt temperature scattering during molding process. Reduce metal transport (No transfer and treatment ladles).
c) Overheating reduction.
d) Reduce rejection of casting pieces.
More information
Web resources: |
http://flexicast-euproject.com
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/104690/factsheet/en |
Start date: | 01-11-2012 |
End date: | 31-10-2016 |
Total budget - Public funding: | 9 249 664,00 Euro - 5 700 000,00 Euro |
Call topic: | Innovative technologies for casting, material removing and forming processes (FoF.NMP.2012-7) |
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More details
Comment: ENERGY REDUCTION IN CAST IRON PROCESSES
Contacts
Latest news
Results
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"Hot " tundish (small) ...
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Furnace(plus) ...
- Internal sanity equipment #2 for cast iron pi...
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Wireless Data logger box
- Cast iron rings
- Expert system for foundry production based on...
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Rugged manual guidance device ...
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Control of deburring process by robotic units...
- Cast iron microstructure modelling ...
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Deburring tool holder
Demonstrators
- Innovative Inoculation system ...
- New cast iron manufacturing production line ...
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Internal sanity equipment #1 for cast iron pi...
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Multi-dynamic innoculation system ...
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Software system for diagnosis and prognosis b...
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Robots for foundries ...
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Mini-converter ...
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Plasma heating unit
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Nodularization system based on Mg vapour ...
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Cast iron equipment design ...
Organisations
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| UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA (Coördinator)
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| ARC SRL
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| CENTRE INTERNACIONAL DE METODES NUMERICS EN ENGINYERIA (CIMNE)
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| Comau SPA
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| Eurecat
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| FUNDICIONES DE RODA S.A.
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| Fundacion Tecnalia Research Corporation
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| INNOSPEXION APS
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| ONDARLAN S L
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| POZNAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
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| PROSERVICE SRL
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| SERT-METAL SAS
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| STIIMA - Istituto di Sistemi e Tecnologie Industriali Intelligenti per il Manifatturiero Avanzato (f...
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| TRELLEBORG SEALING SOLUTIONS ITALIA SPA