Monitoring and / or controlling casting processes

Abstract

This patent application describes a method for monitoring and controlling a casting process (e.g., injection molding or die casting). According to one embodiment, the method comprises sending a sequence of ultrasonic pulses toward a cavity of a casting tool by means of an ultrasonic transducer during the execution of a casting process; receiving reflections of the ultrasonic pulses and generating a measurement signal that represents the maximum amplitude of the reflections at a wall of the cavity; evaluating the measurement signal and determining one or more process parameters based on the measurement signal, and using the determined parameters to control the casting process.