As described in the article “Metal Casting Process” by The Library of Manufacturing, the process of metal casting involves creating a mold in the desired shape of a part. Molten metal is then poured into this mold, which solidifies and results in a metal casting. Despite its apparent simplicity, metal casting is both a science and an art. The focus of this study is the mold, which can be classified as either open or closed.
Open molds resemble containers like cups and have the shape of the desired part. Molten material is poured directly into the exposed mold cavity, making this type of mold less commonly used in manufacturing production, especially for quality metal castings. Closed molds, on the other hand, incorporate a delivery system for molten material to reach the mold cavity, where the part hardens. Closed molds are pivotal in manufacturing metal casting operations.
Metal casting processes vary widely, falling into two main categories: expendable mold casting and permanent mold casting. Expendable molds are used for a single metal casting, while permanent molds are employed for multiple castings. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages in manufacturing processes.
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