The Quality of Compressed Air as the Necessary Condition the Improving the Process Efficiency in Foundry Plants

Abstract

A foundry plant as a manufacturing system operates in accordance with the methods and principles making up the entire process of casting production, involving the use of machines and installations. One of the factors transforming the foundry plant's static structure into the dynamic -processing structure is the compressed air. Practically each procedure making up the casting manufacturing process involves compressed air. Its sources include compressor machines connected to the receiving tanks, making up the compressed air transport installation. Two major aspects are to be addressed in compressed air management: the engineering and economic ones. The engineering aspect involves the manufacturing of compressed air with the required quality features and in the amount balancing its demand, whilst the economic aspect is associated with cost minimisation. This paper investigates the engineering aspects: air quality, with the main focus on air treatment processes to satisfy the constructional and operational requirements of air receivers present in the casting processes.

Applications of Monitoring of Electric Power Parameters to Performance Evaluation of a Model Vacuum-Assisted Moulding Installation

“…The above mentioned method was developed at the Chair of Mechanisation, Automation and Design of Foundries at the Faculty of Foundry Engineering, AGH UST [among others 8,9].…”

“…So far the method and the measurement equipment has been tested when investigating the mixing processes in paddle, roller and rotary foundry mixers. [8,11,12,13]. Tests are now underway covering the moulding sand compaction processes on moulding stands.. One of the processes selected for testing is the vacuumassisted moulding process.…”

Criteria in Designing of Compressed Air Installation in Foundry Plants

“…Compressed air quality is the criterion underlying the design of compressed air systems. To satisfy the quality criteria, the following aspects have to be addressed [6]…”