The experimental phase involves the

The experimental phase involves the design and manufacturing of dedicated prototypes, and the recording of theprocess parameters together with the temperature evolution in specific points. Later the cast prototypes have beencut in different fragments in order to check the location and magnitude of shrinkage defects. Every operationrelated with the experimental phase has been done into the industrial plant of the foundry where the project wasdeveloped, employing the same facilities used in the manufacture of industrial metal casting parts.One of the main requirements to take into account in the prototype design is a simple geometry. The reason isnot only to make easier the temperature measurements but also to reduce the calculation time of simulations. Theonly difference between the prototypes and real parts consists in their geometry. The materials and processconditions used in the manufacture are exactly the same that for industrial parts.Temperature measurements have been registered by means of dedicated thermocouples inserted both into themould and into the metallic part. To avoid difficulties with thermocouples during the mould preheating and thetransfer to vacuum furnace, they have been fixed to the mould just after this transfer. Temperature recording hasbeen performed by means of autonomous equipment able to work in vacuum conditions.