Development of a process complexity index of low pressure die casting for early product design evaluation

Abstract

The design of a product is key for the manufacturing industry to compete in the current era. Failure to plan a product design means losing in the market and falling behind competitors. One way to comprehensively evaluate one design is by analyzing its complexity. Complexity analyzes not only clear view parameters such as geometry and process time but also the whole design parameters, including its production process. This paper develops a process complexity index of low pressure die casting. A casting process is one unique process that depends on the melting and solidification of material in a die. A complexity analysis of low pressure die casting is yet to be done. Three different cylinder heads fabricated with low pressure die casting were used in the case study with the product’s types of 3SZ, 1TR, and 2TR. A process complexity analysis is performed based on the LPDC process’s physical and non physical parameters. The physical parameters are fixtures, tools, gauges, and machines. The non physical parameters are determined from the features and specifications of the low pressure die casting subprocess: setting, filling, solidification, and handling. The analysis successfully defines the complexity of each product, with 1TR having an index of 7.08, 2TR being 6.93, and 3SZ being 5.14. This developed complexity index can be utilized for early product design and cost estimation evaluation