The quality of the squeeze castings is significantly affected by secondary dendrite arm spacing, which is influenced by squeeze cast input
parameters. The relationships of secondary dendrite arm spacing with the input parameters, namely time delay, pressure duration, squeeze
pressure, pouring and die temperatures are complex in nature. The present research work focuses on the development of input-output
relationships using fuzzy logic approach. In fuzzy logic approach, squeeze cast process variables are expressed as a function of input
parameters and secondary dendrite arm spacing is expressed as an output parameter. It is important to note that two fuzzy logic based
approaches have been developed for the said problem. The first approach deals with the manually constructed mamdani based fuzzy
system and the second approach deals with automatic evolution of the Takagi and Sugeno’s fuzzy system. It is important to note that the
performance of the developed models is tested for both linear and non-linear type membership functions. In addition the developed models
were compared with the ten test cases which are different from those of training data. The developed fuzzy systems eliminates the need of
a number of trials in selection of most influential squeeze cast process parameters. This will reduce time and cost of trial experimentations.
The results showed that, all the developed models can be effectively used for making prediction. Further, the present research work will
help foundrymen to select parameters in squeeze casting to obtain the desired quality casting without much of time and resource
consuming.
The near net shaped manufacturing ability of squeeze casting process requiresto set the process variable combinations at their optimal
levels to obtain both aesthetic appearance and internal soundness of the cast parts. The aesthetic and internal soundness of cast parts deal
with surface roughness and tensile strength those can readily put the part in service without the requirement of costly secondary
manufacturing processes (like polishing, shot blasting, plating, hear treatment etc.). It is difficult to determine the levels of the process
variable (that is, pressure duration, squeeze pressure, pouring temperature and die temperature) combinations for extreme values of the
responses (that is, surface roughness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength) due to conflicting requirements. In the present
manuscript, three population based search and optimization methods, namely genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO)
and multi-objective particle swarm optimization based on crowding distance (MOPSO-CD) methods have been used to optimize multiple
outputs simultaneously. Further, validation test has been conducted for the optimal casting conditions suggested by GA, PSO and
MOPSO-CD. The results showed that PSO outperformed GA with regard to computation time.