DESIGNING METHOD FOR A BAFFLE FOR USE WITH AN ARRAY OF SHELL MOULDS IN A DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION CASTING APPARATUS

摘要

A method for designing a baffle (57) for use with an array (41) of shell moulds (41a) in a directional solidification casting apparatus comprises; providing an array of patterns; using the array of patterns in a lost pattern process to produce an array (41) of shell moulds (41a); generating a 3-D image (51a) of the outer surface of each shell mould (41a) in the array (41) of shell moulds; stacking the individual 3-D images (51a) for a plurality of the shell moulds (41a) to produce a conglomerate shell mould profile (55); determining a maximum cross sectional area of the conglomerate shell mould profile (55) in a plane orthogonal to a direction (A) along which the shell moulds (41a) are to be drawn through the baffle (57) in a subsequent directional solidification process; defining a baffle profile segment (56a) which is consistent with a substantial portion of the conglomerate shell mould profile (55) at the maximum cross sectional area; scaling the baffle profile segment (56a) to provide an offset clearance (25) between the baffle profile segment (56a) and the maximum cross sectional area of the conglomerate shell mould profile (55); and reproducing the baffle profile segment (56a) to provide an array (56) of baffle profile segments (56a) whereby to form in the baffle (57) a baffle profile (56) which is configured to allow clear passage of the array (41) of shell moulds (41a) in the subsequent directional solidification process.