Technical Paper

Optimization of Casting Shapes

Hironori Tanaka
Kenji Ogawa

A system to create optimum shapes of casting components has been established using a shape optimization
technique, and is reported as reducing costs, while improving strength and casting productivity.

Key Words: Casting, Cast Steel, CAE, Shape Optimization, Solidification Analysis

1. Introduction shape optimization to automatically calculate efficient shapes

by a finite element mesh was therefore evaluated. On the
Today, computer aided engineering (CAE) is used in many other hand, many cast parts used as strength members are made
segments of business from design to production engineering of cast steel that features both strength and toughness.
and CAE has become an indispensable tool for product Compared with cast iron, however, cast steel has many
development. Parallel with the sophistication of CAE, CAE constraints in its casting plan. An improvement technique in
is now used in prototyping and testing also, making a structural and production aspects that satisfies both “efficient
contribution in shortening the development lead time and in shape in design” and “quality assurance in casting
enhancing product performance. Higher efficiency in product productivity” is described in this paper.
development has been demanded such as “Product design high
in product competitiveness that is less affected by large
2. Shape Optimization
fluctuations in material and energy costs” and “Product design
that assures a longer durability.” 2.1 Types of Shape Optimization
To this end, the use of CAE in product development has From early on, the optimization technique has been used in
become an everyday tool of product development. At the various fields. Thanks to the recent advances in the
same time, the load on products with a high degree of design performance of personal computers, a technique to
freedom is increasing. Komatsu’s construction machinery is automatically calculate optimum shapes in FEM analysis is
characterized by high utilization of castings and these castings used. Generally, optimization techniques after a basic
are used in structures that are especially important. Castings structure is decided are grouped into parametric optimization
offer a relatively high degree of freedom of shape and shapes that uses the dimensions of various members as basic variables
that are stronger than structures manufactured by sheet metal and into non-parametric optimization that uses surface shapes
working and welding because castings are manufactured by as design variables (Fig. 1). In parametric optimization,
pouring molten metal into a mold as their manufacturing outside dimensions, plate thicknesses and other design
method. In design, however, load conditions to endure a variables must be defined in advance from a condition that is
variety of operating conditions are set and the strength has to approximates the final shape, making it difficult to fully utilize
be satisfied under all conditions. Additionally, in the degree of freedom of casting shapes. The use of
conventional product design studies, it is difficult to design non-parametric shape optimization was studied aiming at
shapes that maximize the characteristics of castings due to utilizing the characteristics of castings. This allows automatic
problems associated with limited development lead time, search of efficient shapes of members, which was
failing to fully utilize the feature of castings, and the high time-consuming in the process of repeating CAD creation and
degree of freedom of shape that castings offer. FEM analysis in the conventional development process, by
Therefore, a new tool for studies of structure that provides a FEM analysis, thus reducing the time required for trial and
longer durability in the design and for shapes that utilize the error.
degree of freedom of shape is required. A reduction in
development load cannot be achieved unless CAE is a tool of
the proposal type, instead of an evaluation tool. The use of

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 Parametric Optimization
[Initial Shape]
Current product
FEM analysis model

Only defined dimensions vary

[Setting of Judgment Method]
Definition of pair conditions
Load frequency
Characteristic value of material
(Criterion)

Non-parametric Optimization

[Optimization Calculation]
(1) Extraction of minimum/maximum values from
load conditions
(2) Calculation of fatigue evaluation value
(3) Sensitivity calculation of fatigue constraint
Individual surface positions vary value
(4) Shape fluctuation calculation

Shape as a result of
optimization
Fig 1 Types of shape optimization

2.2 Use of Shape Optimization Fig.2 Optimization by fatigue durability evaluation

In shape optimization, shapes are decided so that evaluation
values obtained by combining specified physical quantities 2.3 Example of Optimization Calculation
such as objective functions and constraint conditions become The flow of calculations used in shape optimization is
minimal. Physical quantities considered in objective described in the following. Figure 3 illustrates the flow of a
functions and constraint conditions include weight, judgment structural design including optimization calculation. The
stress and natural frequency. Optimization (minimization) of flow incorporates an optimization study shown by a red frame
an objective function value under constraint conditions is in a conventional design study. Using a shape plan calculated
performed by sequentially varying a surface shape as a design in optimization, the final product shape is built in.
variable. These objective functions and constraint conditions Figure 4 shows an undercarriage component of a
must be combined to satisfy a design objective. In changes construction machinery actually optimized by this flow. A
that aim at reducing material cost, indicators are generally used weight reduction was used as a targeted optimization objective
such as weight as an objective function and judgment stress as function and the indicator of a fatigue durability evaluation
a constraint condition. In general, it is possible to maintain explained in Section 2.2 was used as a constraint condition. A
stresses individually under plural conditions. In this paper, a fatigue durability higher than that of current products was
fatigue evaluation criterion is calculated from plural load included among the conditions. As limits on shape variations,
conditions and this criterion is used in constraint conditions. conditions that also incorporated variation limits of
This allows direct evaluation using an indicator of durability manufacturing conditions against a molding direction and
used as a criterion and judgment can be made easily compared against a minimum wall thickness of castings were used as
with individual evaluations (Fig. 2). manufacturing conditions in addition to clearances between
components.
A result of shape optimization is shown in Fig. 5. The
illustrations in (a) and (d) show CAD shapes and illustrations
in (b) and (c), FEM shapes after optimization calculation.

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Principal differences are a variation in the shape of holes to Optimized members (Red)
mitigate stress on hole rims and thinning of wall thicknesses of
base portions that contribute to a reduction in stiffness. Using
the shape obtained in (c) as a reference, CAD in (d) was
created and this model reduced the weight by about 5%.

Check of products on the market

(Shape, strength and productivity)

Initial study of
design

Add design feasibility

Fig. 4 Component studied for optimization

2.4 Evaluation of Productivity

Checking optimization
conditions Cast parts made of cast steel are manufactured by pouring
molten metal into a mold. The amount of solidification
shrinkage of molten metal is large with cast steel and hollows
Optimization Optimization called “shrinkage cavities” are produced inside products unless
calculation (FEM) calculation
the casting plan design is appropriate. These flaws cause
strength deficiency and are not allowed. These shrinkage
FEM⇒CAD
cavities are controlled by adding an extra shape called a casting
riser to the product when molten metal is supplied to a product.
CAD The costs to melt, cut, maintain and repair this casting riser are
modification
also added to the product cost. It will be necessary to verify
whether a cost reduction can be achieved for the entire cost
Verifying the stress of including the production cost, parallel with material cost
the conventional Productivity study
design reduction by controlling flaws and reducing product weight.
Solidification analysis was conducted for this verification using
casting CAE of components whose shape was changed as
shown in Fig. 6. Flaws of conventional components are
checked by inspection and the shrinkage cavity indicator of
Are the in-house NO
evaluation criteria met? optimized components is improved compared with
conventional components. The casting plan for the casting
YES Conventional design evaluation riser is also similar to the one currently used and has been
verified as problem-free. The change in shape has produced
Bench/field test
higher quality and equivalent cost.

Final evaluation

Fig. 3 Flow of the casting shape optimization

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 Conventional
casting plan

Model with a conven-

tional cross section

Casting riser

Supply path

(a) Shape of the conventional part

Section of A-A

Porosity Porosity: 30% ~

Optimized
Casting Plan

Model with an optimized

cross section

Casting riser

ポロシティ
指標縮小
Supply path

(b) FEM of the conventional part

Section of A-A

Porosity Porosity: 30% ~

Mitigation of stress Less contribution to
concentration toughness → Thinning

Fig. 6 Result of solidification analysis

(c) FEM as a result of optimization

(d) Shape as a result of optimization

Fig. 5 Result of shape optimization

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3. Evaluation of Trial Manufacture Introduction of the writers

The studies described above have shown that a structural Hironori Tanaka
improvement can be made with presently-manufactured Entered Komatsu in 2008.
Currently assigned to the Production
components as plotted in Fig. 7. The productivities of the Technology Development Center,
conventional and new components are equal. The new Corporate Production Division.
components were installed in equipment and were evaluated.
In Fig. 7, the results of bench stress tests shown on the right
compared with current components shown on the left indicate
that stresses generated in the new components are not as large Kenji Ogawa
as those on current components. The new components were Entered Komatsu in 1997.
installed on machines for testing and were proven to meet the Currently assigned to the Production
durability target. These results show that shape studies by Technology Development Center,
Corporate Production Division.
optimization are effective.

Current
Optimized
Ratio with initial values

[A few words from the writers]

Quality management of cast parts is of critical importance.
Efforts will be made to develop technology that can create robust
and optimum shapes that excel in structure and production.

Weight Analyzed stress Measured stress

Fig. 7 Result of equipment evaluation

4. Conclusion
The following was found in the studies of structure and
production of castings by shape optimization through analysis
and equipment evaluation:

(1) Studies of shapes by shape optimization are effective as

shape plans under initial design plans that are closely
examined to some extent.

(2) Both design judgment and structural knowledge to

evaluate validation are important to return optimization
results from FEM to CAD.

(3) Some shape changes are not problematic in terms of

casting productivity. However, problems may occur with
castings with thin walls and the prior conditions must be
studied before optimization.

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