Application of an integrated CAD/CAE/CAM system for die casting dies

According to the concept of concurrent engineering (CE), a CAD/CAE/CAM integrated system for die casting dies is established and applied in the primary stage. The platform of the Pro/ENGINEER CAD/CAM software, the MAGMASOFT simulation software and a primary expert system for the design of the die casting process are available to establish this integrated system. A primary expert system package including a series of empirical calculation equations and data for the design of technological scheme and dies of die casting has been developed by the authors. This integrated system has been applied successfully in the design and manufacture of die casting dies for aluminum and magnesium die castings, such as the water pump of the Santana sedan. The use of this integrated system can shorten the cycle of die design and manufacture, and result in the production of high quality die castings in a shorter time. The lead-time of die castings is shortened greatly.