Generic Metal casting Information
Understanding the metalcasting basics can help you design for manufacturability and utilize processes that meet your specific requirements.
The fundamental process of metalcasting consists of five basic elements:
Molding—The mold cavity must be formed from a material that will withstand the operating temperatures and conditions of the chosen casting process and metal.
Pouring—The molten metal is poured into the mold and travels through its passages to fill the mold cavity.
Solidification—During the solidification process, the metal cools and becomes a solid shape.
Mold Removal—The cooled casting is removed from the mold.
Secondary Operations—The casting is trimmed, cleaned, heat-treated, machined, inspected, painted, etc.
These five basic elements are supported by design and fabrication of the patterns and cores for the mold, the fabrication of the mold cavity and the melting of the metal.
Cores are a crucial element in the process of designing a mold Cores are preformed masses of bonded sand or other material that are used to make the internal passageways of a casting. Castings may require a single core, a complex assembly of cores or none at all. Like castings, cores are made in a mold, called a corebox. Typically, these cores are made of sand and may be combined with other binding materials. Metal cores are used in permanent mold and die casting processes. Choosing the type of core used in each metalcasting will be a key element in your project.
Our casting processes: