Computer Application for Estimation of Optimal Metallic Charge in a Foundry

The article contains a presentation of the method of optimal estimation of the metallic charge in a foundry applying the computer technique. It starts with a short description of the technological process in a foundry, which provides an insight into the important problem being a subject of this study. The author points at two methods of the metallic charge estimation: - method of linear programming, - simulation method. Both methods can be relatively easily computerized. Thanks to that the process of the charge estimation becomes shortened while the results obtained ensure good quality of cast iron possessing the best economical and qualitative characteristics. The linear programming method possesses many advantages and disadvantages briefly analyzed in the article. For this reason we are presenting a method which allows for elimination of drawbacks attributed to the linear programming method. The method, we mean here, is the simulation method. Joint application of the linear programming and simulation methods allows to achieve a solution guaranteeing production of cast iron characterized with a relatively best quality and lowest production costs. Application of the simulation method assumes submitting many acceptable variants obtained on the way of the linear programming method to the simulation procedure and selection of the best variant. That, however, does not afford any bigger difficulties as the application of an electronic digital machine for calculation makes it possible to perform this task within a short time. The presented methods of metallic charge estimation can be applied not only in every foundry but also in steel works etc.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę