David Hilscher
Learn how to select the right grade and class of ASTM A27 steel for your casting project. Each grade varies based on chemical composition, and type of heat treating needed to affect changes in mechanical properties. Find out the differences between testing steel for tensile strength vs. hardness.
David Hilscher
After a casting is done, cleaned, heat treated and tested, there may be secondary processing needed to finish it for its application. Read about machining, assembling, and finishes that happen in the foundry or off-site to finalize the casting for use.
David Hilscher
Heat treating metal influences the microstructures of a metal which give the material all its mechanical properties. Learn what changes are made when annealing, normalizing, quenching, or tempering steel.
David Hilscher
Learn how castings get “into fine fettle” during the processes of shakeout, cleaning, and machining that occur after a casting is poured and cooled. These detailed steps bring the casting to its final shape.
David Hilscher
Foundries are glowing metal furnaces and sparking rivers of steel. How do founders mange the scorching heat needed for melting and pouring metal?
David Hilscher
How does a foundry create chambers inside the body of a metal casting? Cores are the answer: densely packed sand that stays solid until shakeout. Great design is necessary to float the cores through the center of the mold. Learn more about core-making in the foundry.
David Hilscher
Molding sand is at the heart of the sand casting process. It must hold a shape well and capture the fine details of a casting, yet be permeable enough to allow gases to escape. Under the strain of having the molding pattern removed from it, or while it is filled, it cannot crumble or sink on itself. When it is turned upside down it must not lose its form: the parts of a mold have to stay true while clamped together.
David Hilscher
Foundry pattern making is a skilled craft that can require both the abilities of a carpenter and the knowledge of a metallurgist. Read more about both wood and wax patterns, and how a patternmaker determines the success of a casting.
Arwen Brenneman
David Hilscher
Sand casting is the most common form of casting for ferrous metals (all metals that contain iron), with more than 70% of worldwide production of ferrous castings being made in foundry sand. Watch this basic process turn molten metals into everyday objects.
David Hilscher
Metal casting is the process of pouring molten metal into a shaped space so that it will cool and harden in that form. For many items, this process can be less expensive than machining the part out of a piece of solid metal. Even though the idea behind it seems singular and simple, there are many ways foundries cast objects. How they make a metal casting mold will depend on the metals used, the size of the run, and the shape, symmetry, and complexity of the casting.
David Hilscher
A designer, entrepreneur, or inventor gets an idea and begins the process to bring it to life. At first the idea is made of sketches and plans, research and design, but the designer’s focus is toward creating a physical object. There is no replacement for holding a mockup or prototype and seeing a vision come to life. Prototyping allows the designer to have confidence in their idea, work out production flaws, and woo investors or clients.
David Hilscher
Our “Life of a Casting” series follows a cast metal object from concept to final product. This installment looks at the approaches to casting design that maximize value and minimize trouble on the production line.
Arwen Brenneman
Explora el por qué la metalurgia separa los metales como ferrosos o no ferrosos: encuentra definiciones, ejemplos, características y composición de ambos tipos.
David Hilscher
Learn about the steps and techniques required for successful in-house welding of cast iron parts.
David Hilscher
Why sorted scrap metal won’t end up tossed in the landfill. Metal recycling really does conserve energy and decrease emissions.
Arwen Brenneman
L’acier inoxydable est élégant, moderne, et résistant à la rouille. Découvrez laquelle—304 ou 316—est la meilleure pour votre projet.
Arwen Brenneman
El acero inoxidable es altamente resistente a la corrosión. El 304 y el 316 son los grados más comunes. Descubre cuál es el adecuado para tu proyecto.
Arwen Brenneman
Las fundidoras son fábricas donde se producen piezas al fundir metal, vertiendo el metal líquido en moldes y luego permitiéndoles solidificarse.
Arwen Brenneman
Les fonderies sont des usines où des pièces sont produites en fondant le métal, versant le métal liquide dans des moules, puis leur permettant de se solidifier.
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