GATING SYSTEM

The passage that leads the molten metal into the mould cavity.

REQUISITES
The molten metal should enter the mould cavity with minimum turbulence so that there is no erosion of mould walls and core surfaces. The mould cavity should be completely filled with molten metal in the minimum time. The casting should be possible with minimum quantity of metal in gates and risers. By providing a proper skimming action the entry of loose sand oxides and slag should be prevented from entering the mould cavity.

The pouring process should be practical and economical.

CONSTITUENTS
POURING BASIN

SPRUE
RUNNER GATES

RISER

It is a tunnel shaped opening made in the top of the mould. The molten metal is brought from the surface in the ladle and poured into
the pouring basin.

POURING BASIN

A proper design of the pouring basin decides the rate of molten metal
entry and allows the metal to flow inside the sprue smoothly and prevents turbulence.

The basin size should be substantially large and should be made near the
edge of the moulding box so as to fill the mould quickly.

It must be deep enough to reduce vortex formation and keep the pouring
basin full during the entire pouring operation to compensate metal

SPRUE
A channel through the cope and connecting the pouring basin with the runner

May be circular,rectangular or square

A round section sprue offers the lowest resistance to flow of metal and has minimum surface exposed to cooling

RUNNER
Passage through which molten metal is carried from sprue base to several gates around the cavity through the passage way,is known as runner

GATES
The branches from the runner to various mould cavities are called gates.

They are placed where they can be easily removed without any damage to the casting.

TYPES OF GATES
Top Gates The molten metal is poured from the riser of the casting

Since it flows directly into the mould cavity,it should be hard and strong enough to resist erosion by the dropping metal A pool of molten metal is produced at the bottom and is kept in agitated state until the mould is filled.

ADVANTAGES
All the metal enters the casting from the top so the hottest metal remains in this
region.

Top gates themselves may be made to serve as risers. There is low consumption of additional metal.

LIMITATIONS
Splashing of molten metal associated with its stream increases the chances of
oxidation.

The dropping molten metal stream erodes the solid surface.

Top gating is not suitable for lighter metals

BOTTOM GATES
Prepared in the drag of the mould

The molten metal enters from the bottom of the casting.

The molten metal fills rapidly the bottom portion of the
mould cavity and rises steadily in the mould and across the cores.

Keeps turbulence at minimum.

Usually employed for large sized steel castings.

LIMITATIONS OF BOTTOM GATES

The metal continues to lose its heat as it raises in the

molten cavity.Thus,directional solidification is difficult to achieve.

it is difficult to place the riser near the gate entrance

where the material is the hottest.

PARTING LINE SIDE GATE

The molten metal enters the mould cavity from the

side of the mould,the same level as the parting line.

It enters in a direction horizontal to the casting.

Provision of gate at the parting line allows the use of
devices that can trap slag,dirt etc

RISER
A hole cut in the cope to permit the molten metal to rise above the highest point in the casting after the mould cavity is filled up.

Provides a visual check to ensure filling up the mould.

PURPOSE
Ejection of steam,gas and air from the mould cavity while filling the mould with molten metal. Acts as a feeder to feed molten metal into the main casting to compensate for shrinking during solidification