FEATURES OF ALUMINUM DISC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The technology features of cast aluminum discs production in the conditions of «Vector» LLP are presented. Aluminum alloy AK-12 smelting process in induction crucible furnaces is described in detail. Results of industrial experiments conducted to reduce the melting time are presented. Initially, the task was set to find the optimal permissible metal residue (swamp) in the furnace after the melting was drained. Based on the results obtained, the optimal mass of the swamp was revealed to be 100 kg. A series of experimental melting was also carried out in order to identify the difference in the melting duration of the heated billet and the billet at room temperature. In the conditions of production of the enterprise «Vector» LLP, a reduction in the duration of melting by 25 minutes was achieved by using the melting method «in the swamp». Also, the preheating of charge materials in the space of the heating furnace contributed to the reduction of the melting time by 10–15 minutes. Before making changes to the technology, a maximum of 12 melts were carried out per day, taking into account the time for cleaning the furnace crucible and the process of draining metal from the furnace space. After the changes were made, the melts number and volume being metal smelted increased almost twice. This allowed the company to simultaneously put into operation four casting machines, which are supplied with metal by only one induction furnace with a capacity of 700 kg.