An Integrated Fuzzy-Based Methodology for Selection of Casting Pattern Material

Abstract

Casting is a manufacturing process that is used for mass production of complex metal shapes. Sand casting is one of the variations of casting process which is also known as sand molded casting. The success of the final product depends to a great extent on the patterns used in the process which is a replica of the final product to be produced. Pattern is used to prepare cavity into which the molten material is poured. Material of the pattern used in its construction and its design are the important primary considerations for achieving the best possible shapes from the sand casting process. The present work proposes a novel fuzzy-based multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach for selecting the best material for the pattern. The integrated framework integrates fuzzy decision making with the least explored Tomada de Decisão Interativa Multicritério (TODIM) MCDM method. Material selection has been done considering five material alternatives, i.e., wood, aluminum, steel, plastic, and cast iron; and seven criteria, i.e., machinability, wear resistance, strength, weight, reparability, resistance to corrosion, and resistance to swelling. It was established that aluminum is the best-ranked material alternative.