Tracing thermal process of permanent mould casting

Accurate process control is the most effective means to ensure product quality. Online information about the operating conditions has to be gathered and evaluated in order to adjust parameters. For manufacturing processes with nonstationary characteristics, manifold variables and multimode heat transfer phenomena, one is confronted with severe problems, if targetted control is at stake. Thus mould or die casting, for example, are production technologies which are mostly controlled by foundrymen, who set and change the operating parameters empirically. The occurrence of defects in produced parts is sometimes detected by post process evaluation with much delay, causing economic harm. Thermography may be used to identify feeding performance and to monitor the instantaneous process conditions during fabrication. These results may be used to either control the cooling rate of the mould or to specify best design of cooling ducts in new dies. An experimental set-up and evaluation technique for thermography at permanent mould casting is given, revealing the potential for automated adjustment of process control