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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Weighing bullets - process control (Read 47209 times)
jlmurphy
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Re: Weighing bullets - process control
Reply #120 - Jan 18th, 2014 at 3:00pm
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I consider casting a thermodynamics issue, heat input versus heat loss. I count while casting, first the pour from the ladle, how long for the sprue puddle to harden ( it should freeze at the count of 10, or I vary the time to start the next pour), strike the sprue plate, release the locking latch, break open the mould, start the next pour and begin the count again. I cast until the electric pot is half empty. At the start I use a propane torch to heat the sprue plate, and once the bases are filled out well, stop. The locking handles helped, combined with counting, lets me cast 150 .40 cal 420 grain bullets, all within .5 gr.
  
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joeb33050
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Re: Weighing bullets - process control
Reply #121 - Feb 23rd, 2014 at 10:20am
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Obviously I'm headed in the direction of building an Xbar and R chart to use real-time.

When?
  
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JackHughs
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Re: Weighing bullets - process control
Reply #122 - Feb 23rd, 2014 at 11:57am
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What?

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Cat_Whisperer
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Re: Weighing bullets - process control
Reply #123 - Feb 23rd, 2014 at 1:43pm
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JackHughs wrote on Feb 23rd, 2014 at 11:57am:
What?

JackHughs


My objective is to control every step of the process from rendering alloy to counting the score.  Hence in casting to do an Xbar and R (mean and range) chart gives an item by item indication of how accurately each bullet has been cast - to identify immediately a) that there has been a variation in the process and then to b) to allow a correction to be made.

When?  One step at a time.  I still need to install thermocouples in my lead pot (I have the controllers); I need to finish my data logging program in LabVIEW (it is now installed on the computer next to my casting/lubing stations); and I need to work on an automatic weighing of each bullet after being cast.

I did start casting, emptying the mould, refilling and while waiting to cool weighing each bullet.

Although subjective, it was interesting to see my slight variations in process affect the weights.  300gr +/- 1 grain, often less was observed.  I need to connect the dots and tighten up MY variations to get down to say +/- 0.2 gr.

  

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