Application of modern technological solutions, as well as the economic and ecological solutions, is for foundries one of the main aspects of the competitiveness on the market for castings. IT solutions can significantly support technological processes. This article presents neural networks with different structures that have been used to determine the moisture content of the moulding sand based on the moulding sand selected properties research results. Neural networks were built using Matlab software. Moulding sand properties chosen for quality control processes were selected based on wide previous results.For the proposed moulding sand properties, neural networks can be a useful tool for predicting moisture content. The structure of artificial neural network do not have a significant influence on the obtained results. In subsequent studies on the use of neural networks as an application to support the green moulding sand rebonding process, it must be determined how factors such as environmental humidity and moulding sand temperature will affect the accuracy of data obtained with the use of artificial neural networks.Keywords: data mining, artificial neural networks, green moulding sands Zastosowanie nowoczesnych rozwiązań technologicznych, a także ekonomicznych i ekologicznych stanowi dla odlewni jeden z głównych aspektów konkurencyjności na rynku produktów odlewów. Doskonałym wsparciem dla procesów technologicznych są rozwiązania informatyczne. W artykule zaprezentowano sieci neuronowych o różnej strukturze, które zostały użyte do określania wilgotności masy formierskiej na podstawie wyników badania wybranych właściwości masy. Sieci neuronowe zbudowano z wykorzystaniem oprogramowania Matlab. Właściwości mas wybrane do procesów sterowania jakością zostały dobrane w oparciu o wcześniejsze wyniki badań.Dla zaproponowanych właściwości syntetycznych mas formierskich sztuczne sieci neuronowe mogą być użytecznym narzędziem do przewidywania wilgotności masy. Ilość warstw ukrytych w strukturze sieci nie ma wpływu na otrzymywane rezultaty. W kolejnych badaniach nad wykorzystaniem sieci neuronowych jako aplikacji wspierającej procesy odświeżania syntetycznych mas formierskich, należy określić, w jaki sposób czynniki takie jak wilgotność otoczenia, czy temperatura masy wpłyną na dokładność danych uzyskanych z wykorzystaniem sztucznych sieci neuronowych.

TG-DSC thermal analysis involved two new BioCo foundry binders in the form of a composition with poly(acrylic acid) and modified polysaccharides (dextrin, sodium salt of carboxymethyl starch). Thermal analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the thermal decomposition conditions and polymer structure on the progress of degradation in terms of processes occurring in the foundry sands, when they contact with liquid metal. Thermal analysis of the composition allowed for determining the temperature range where they do not undergo degradation, by which they do not lose their binding properties. It was evidenced that the course of thermal decomposition is complex (mixed degradation mechanism). With temperature increase, physical and chemical changes occur, related to evaporation of solvent water (20-100°C) and next release of constitution water, while finally intermolecular dehydration (100-220°C). In this temperature range, mainly reversible processes take place. Within the temperature range of 220-300°C, polymer chains decompose, including decomposition of side chains and glycosidic bonds. Within the temperature range of 300-500°C, polymer compositions decompose, and gas products of destruction are generated. A part of the compound that did not decompose at the temperature of approx 550°C can contain carbonised coal. It was evidenced that if the composition includes sodium atoms, inorganic compounds are formed which decompose at the temperature of approx 800°C.

Technological knowledge is a collection of information from each stage of the casting production preparation process along with production data and quality control data. Knowledge and experience are the most important factors for the dynamic development of each foundry. Efficient archiving and management of technological knowledge, including computer simulations, is a critical part of building competitive advantage. Analysis of historical data allows for drawing the right conclusions, and guarantees improved quality of the final product. Effective enterprise management system, and technological knowledge management system in particular, is an indispensable tool for any innovative foundry. Simulation Process & Data Management is a new, dynamically-developing scientific field. Also in the foundry industry it is a very important step towards the management of casting simulation results.Keywords: simulation process and data management system, technological knowledge base Wiedza technologiczna jest to zbiór informacji pochodzących z każdego etapu przygotowania produkcji odlewniczej. Wiedza, doświadczenie są najważniejszym czynnikami dynamicznego rozwoju każdej odlewni. Umiejętne archiwizowanie i zarządzanie wiedzą technologiczną, w tym symulacjami komputerowymi jest kluczowym elementem budowania przewagi konkurencyjnej. Analiza danych historycznych umożliwia wyciąganie właściwych wniosków oraz gwarantuje poprawę jakości wyrobu końcowego. Efektywny system zarządzania przedsiębiorstwem, w szczególności system zarządzania wiedzą technologiczną jest niezbędnym narzędziem każdej innowacyjnej odlewni. Simulation Process & Data Management jest nową, dynamicznie rozwijającą się dziedziną nauki. W branży odlewniczej jest to bardzo ważny krok w kierunku zarządzania wynikami symulacji dla odlewnictwa.Complexity of metallurgical processes requires the use of modern sophisticated computational IT tools for their calculation, optimisation, storage and analysis of process data. Modern simulation programs and high-performance computing machines (workstations, clusters) allow prediction of the phenomena of physical processes occurring in solidifying castings, based on the input parameters (initial-boundary conditions).The use of IT tools in all fields of science and industry has become a normal routine. This process is also present in the foundry industry. The foundry industry uses various IT programs divided by their specific applications as follows: CAD, CAE, CAM, CAQ.The interdisciplinary nature of casting technology requires the use of modern tools for their design and optimisation. Modern industry adopts customer satisfaction as an indicator of the effectiveness of manufacturing processes. The basic requirement of the customers is to be provided with quality products. This trend also applies to the manufacturers of machinery and equipment, including those manufactured with casting techniques. Unfortunately, casting processes, due to their complexity, are associated with the need to comply with dozens, or sometimes hundreds, of m...

The paper proposes an alternative approach to the problem of district heating monitoring parameters selection, based on conditions, taken, for instance, from a specific real district heating network supplemented with tests data and expert knowledge.