Optimization of the Investment Casting Process Using Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents a study in which an attempt has been made to improve the quality characteristic (surface finish) of the wax patterns used in the investment casting process. The wax blend consists of paraffin wax (20 %), carnauba wax (10 %), microcrystalline wax (20 %), polyethylene wax (10 %) and teraphenolic resin (40 %), which provided an improved pattern wax composition. The process parameters considered are injection temperature, holding time and die temperature. The injection process parameters are optimized by genetic algorithm. Further, verification test have been conducted at the obtained optimal setting of process parameters to prove the effectiveness of the method. Finally, a good agreement between the actual and the predicted results of surface roughness of the wax patterns has been found.