Numerical Simulation of Solidification Process for a Machine Tool Bed

Abstract

In this paper, the flow, heat transfer and stress during solidification process of the machine tool bed weighed about 2.5ton that has been optimized by structural topologymethod, was calculated with ProCAST software, and the causes of the crack forming in the casting of the machine tool bed was analysed. According to the calculation results, the structural design of the local part where cracks tends to form has been improved, and the heat transfer and the stress are calculated again. By comparing the temperature field with filling of molten cast iron and without filling, it has been found that there was little effect of filling on the results of temperature distribution of the cast, therefore the effect of filling can be ignored in the following temperature field calculation to save computation time. The model has been simplified in the stress field calculation with considering the complexity of the machine tool bed and the cost of computation. Then, the merits and demerits of the original design and the improved design are compared and analyzed depending on the calculated temperature and stress results. It is suggested that the improved one could get a more uniform temperature distribution and then the trend of the crack occurring can be greatly reduced. These results could provide a guide for the actual casting production, achieving the scientific control of the production of castings, ensuring the quality of the castings.