Multi Response Optimization of Green Sand Moulding Parameters Using Taguchi-DEAR Method

Abstract

Green sand casting is treated as the most versatile casting process due to their excellent design flexibility that offer complex shapes and ability to reclaim silica sand. The modern foundries are looking for alternate moulding materials to partially replace the high cost silica sand. Cow dung is a naturally available eco-friendly binding as well as additive material and is used to partially replace the silica sand. Improper choice of the combination of moulding sand variables, such as degree of ramming, percentage of cow dung, percentage of clay, and percent of water will affect the moulding sand properties and thereby quality of casting. In the present work, Taguchi method is employed to plan and conduct experiments. Pareto analysis of variance is performed to know the contribution of variables on the moulding sand properties (i.e. compression strength, permeability, loss-on-ignition). Taguchi DEAR method is used to determine the single optimal levels of input factors that enhances the performances of all the sand mould properties. Percent of clay and cow-dung found to be the most dominating factor towards all the sand mould properties.