Simple Solutions That Work! Issue 11

that for chemistry there was a variation of up to 0.3% in the carbon equivalent and the pouring temperature could change by as much as 50°F. So, we have target values, but on the shop floor we have a range of inputs. Which data best predicts the results we are seeing? For gray and ductile irons, we can predict solidification and shrinkage/expansion behavior using the VDG Nomogram. Figure 4 show what that original nomogram looks like. Working with the nomogram is a rather tedious way of doing things, but that is the way things were done before computers. We have incorporated the VDG Nomogram electronically into the SOLIDCast software and then added the additional things like mold dilation and metallurgical 51 Figure 2. Slice through the left casting, showing shrinkage. Figure 3. Slice through the right casting, showing shrinkage. Figure 4. The VDG Nomogram, used to predict solidification behavior in cast irons. Continued on next page MAKING YOUR INSTALLATION ASUCCESS