Pattern allowances in order to produce a casting of proper size and shape depend partly on product design, mould design, shrinkage and contraction of the metal being cast. A pattern is always made larger than the required size of the casting considering the various allowances.
These are the allowances which are usually provided in a pattern.
- shrinkage allowance
- Draft allowance
- Distortion or camber allowance
- Rapping or Shaking allowance
- Finishing allowance
shrinkage allowance
Draft allowance
when a pattern is drawn out from a mould the tendency to tear away the edges of the mould in contact with the pattern is greatly decreased, if the surfaces of the pattern are given a slight taper in a direction parallel to which it is being withdrawn, This tapering of the sides of the pattern known as draft, is done to provide a slight clearance for the pattern as it is lifted up. The amount of draft required depends upon the shape and size of the casting, moulding method, the method of production, intricacy of pattern, and whether moulded by hand or machine.
Distortion or camber allowance
This allowance applies only those castings of irregular shapes such as U-shape or those having large flat areas, which are distorted in the process of cooling as a result of metal shrinkage.
Rapping or Shaking allowance
Before the with drawl from the sand mould, the pattern is rapped all around the vertical faces to enlarge the mould cavity slightly, which facilitate its removal. In an average sized casting, this increase in the size can be ignored. In large castings or in one that must fit without machining, however shake allowance must be considered by making the pattern slightly smaller.
Finishing allowance
This allowance is provided on the pattern if the casting is to be machined. This allowance is given in addition to shrinkage allowance. The amount of this allowance varies from 1.6 to 12.5 mm which depends upon the type of the casting metal, size and the shape of the casting. The ferrous metals require more machining allowance than non ferrous metals.
