Locating Solidification Hot Spots and Feeder Positions in Casting Geometries by Image Analysis

Geometric methods for solidification order, specifically section modulus and Heuvers’ circles/distance field, are compared with solidification time as scalar fields. The effects of changing geometric parameters on hot spot position in idealized two-dimensional sections are explored. Solidification time scalar fields for those sections are segmented using a watershed image segmentation technique, for the purpose of identifying isolated sections and hot spots. The segmentation technique is applied to an example three-dimensional solid model using both distance field and solidification times and the results compared. Number and position of hot spots compare favorably for the example geometry, and the method is expected to work well for identifying hot spots and feeder positions in rangy castings as commonly seen in structural steel and high-pressure die-casting applications.