Simulation and Experiment of New Ultrasonic Vibration Network

Abstract

A reasonable ultrasonic vibration network can improve the casting quality of aluminum alloy. Ultrasonic vibration network based on a honeycomb structure has been designed, referred to as a new vibration network. The new vibration network can solve the problems of nonuniform distribution of power ultrasonic wave, small working area and low volume of ultrasonic vibration network, low efficiency of the frequency spectrum and power spectrum, and poor quality of aluminum alloy casting. The number of vibration nodes can be determined based on the number of layers of the vibration source nodes. The edge length of regular hexagonal honeycomb cells can be determined based on the size of the casting ingot. The output power and resonant frequency of the ultrasonic vibration network can be adjusted in real time according to the status of aluminum alloy melt. A seven-node new ultrasonic network and a four-node ultrasonic network with a traditional structure were selected and used in the experiment and simulation of a 500 mm diameter 2219 aluminum alloy ingot. In comparison with the traditional four-node ultrasonic network, the effective volume and area, frequency spectrum efficiency, and comprehensive coverage probability of the seven-node new ultrasonic vibration network increased by 34.06%, 23.12%, 17.25%, and 0.308, respectively. The difference between the desired value and average efficiency of the power spectrum was 0.292 W/cm2, and the average grain size of aluminum alloy decreased by 34.98 microns. These results indicate that the efficiency of ultrasonic-vibration-assisted casting system and the quality of aluminum alloy casting can be improved using the new ultrasonic vibration network.