Process knowledge for improving quality in sand casting foundries: A literature review

Foundry operation has many interlinked and complex processes that require skill and caution to ensure good quality of castings. The complex production processes and variables in the foundry industry also imposes quality limitation for final castings. Due to this, defect reduction still remains the main objective in sand casting foundries. In this regard, process knowledge is important in foundries to increase productivity by reducing sand casting defects. Process knowledge is defined as the identification of process variables. This includes the gathering approach, conceptualisation system and analysis to determine the varying process variables that are associated with product characterisation for final products. The paper presents a literature review on process knowledge in manufacturing focusing in sand casting method. It then explores possible application of this methodology specifically to the metal casting industry with the main aim of making it more competitive.