Cooling and Lubrication of Dies

Cooling and lubrication of dies is an imperative part of the overall casting or forging process.

Cooling

  • Control of die temperature is absolutely essential in order to: avoid loss of mechanical strength (annealing effect), avoid cracks and plastic deformation, set temperature for best lubricant application

Lubrication

  • guarantees full filling (metal flow) of the die imprints
  • protects against adhesive (scuffing; fretting) or abrasive wear
  • reduces friction (for better metal flow and reduced wear)
  • reduces chemical effects (oxidation)
  • provides good release properties
  • avoids layer build-up

Spraying Technology

  • Selecting the right spraying technology decides about: parts quality, productivity and thus competitiveness of the casting/forging process
  • There are many spraying strategies – looking on the special process conditions of foundry environments, high efficiency can be only achieved when all parameter are especially adapted to the process requirements.
  • Scientific research and empirically gained experience resulted in the patented AED spraying technology
  • External Atomization nozzles are showing best results for cooling as well as for lubricant application
  • AED developed a special nozzle design which is reflecting the special conditions of foundry environments

Essential Parameter

  • Droplet Size
  • Droplet Energy Spraying DensityRatio of media (liquid) and spraying air
  • Whenever possible, AED spraying technology is separating cooling and lubricant application

Balance is the Secret of Efficiency

Cooling

Spraying Process

Source Input Process Output
Melt/Billet
  • Metallurgy
  • Process
  • Quantity
  • Temperature

Spray Cooling

  • Time
  • Volume (air/water)
  • Spraying strategy
  • Efficiency

 

Lube application

  • Time
  • Volume
  • Efficiency
  • Spraying strategy

Thermal Management

  • Surface temperature
  • Temperature balance
Press
  • Process design
  • Press capability
  • Press environment

Tribology

  • Coefficient of Friction
  • Wear Protection
  • Release Properties
Lubricant
  • Tribologic performance
  • Rheology
  • Process ‘stabilizers’
Process
  • Process flow and parameter
  • Cycle time
  • Energy turnover

Part

  • Quality
  • Quantity