What is Casting Yield?
Casting yield represents the efficiency of a metal casting process by comparing the weight of the final casting to the total weight of metal poured. It's expressed as a percentage and helps manufacturers assess material efficiency and identify losses during the casting process.
How to Calculate Casting Yield
The casting yield formula is:
$$\text{Casting Yield} = \frac{W_{c}}{W_{p}} \times 100$$
Where:
- W_c = Final weight of the cast product
- W_p = Total weight of metal poured
Example Calculation
For a casting where:
- Weight of Casting: 450 lbs
- Weight of Metal Poured: 600 lbs
$$\text{Casting Yield} = \frac{450}{600} \times 100 = 75$$
This means 75% of the poured metal ended up in the final casting, with 25% lost to runners, gates, risers, and other waste.
Understanding Casting Yield Results
High Yield (>80%): Indicates efficient casting process with minimal material waste.
Medium Yield (60-80%): Typical for many casting operations, with moderate material lost to gating systems.
Low Yield (<60%): Suggests significant material losses, may require process optimization.
Factors Affecting Casting Yield
- Gating system design (runners, gates, risers)
- Casting complexity and size
- Metal type and pouring temperature
- Mold design and configuration
- Feeding system efficiency
Applications
- Foundry process optimization
- Material cost estimation
- Quality control monitoring
- Profitability analysis
- Process improvement initiatives