Traceability and quality assurance of sand casting foundries using QR code-based tracking system

School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, 632 014, Vellore, India

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Published online: 2 March 2026

Abstract

Traceability is a critical requirement in modern foundry operations for ensuring quality, consistency and accountability throughout the production process. Conventional mold identification methods such as handwritten markings, tags or metal stamping that are often prone to damage, misinterpretation and data loss. This paper proposes a QR code-based digital traceability framework designed to provide end-to-end tracking of molds, cores and castings within the foundry environment. The system combines QR code embedding, optical data acquisition, and centralized database management to facilitate real-time monitoring, defect correlation and process optimization. The use of QR code ensures durable and reliable identification under typical foundry conditions, advancing the move toward intelligent, data-driven manufacturing in foundries.