Abstract
The linear programming (LP) model for optimizing the average efficiency of molten alloy is a comprehensive yet simple tool for scheduling a die casting process in real foundries. In this paper, the authors present a heuristic algorithm for a post-optimization scheme to further enhance the efficiency of a scheduling result obtained by LP. The proposed scheme is motivated by the unique property of casting operations that raw material or alloy is provided as a set of solid-state ingots with a discrete size, and scrap is cut off from a solidified casting and recycled with a constant rate. This scheme adjusts the number of ingots to be melted by calculating a priori the amount of castings per melting furnace and by recycling scrap left in the previous casting shifts. A case study using practical data from a real foundry demonstrates the applicability and confirms the enhanced efficiency of the proposed scheduling mechanism and adjustment scheme.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1105-1116 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture |
| Volume | 225 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- Ingot adjustment
- Linear programming (LP)
- Scheduling of casting
- Scrap recycling