Foundry Technology
Foundry technology is a specialized field of manufacturing that involves the making of metal and other materials into precise forms. Foundries have the ability to make large and complex components for various industries, including automotive, aerospace and medical. With the introduction of modern automated systems, more precise processes and products are produced with greater efficiency and accuracy.
Foundries use processes such as sand casting, die casting, and investment casting to form a variety of objects from metals, alloys, and plastics. The challenge of producing finely detailed, accurate, and repeatable parts is met through the combination of skilled craft workers, cutting-edge technology, and precise engineering practices.
Sand Casting
Sand casting is a process where a sand mold is formed around a pattern and filled with molten metal, typically a ferrous alloy such as iron, steel, and stainless steel. Sand casting is a popular method for making a variety of parts, from simple to complex, for use in automotive, aerospace, medical, and other industrial applications. Metal parts produced through sand casting are typically near-net shape, requiring minimal post-casting machining.
Die Casting
Die casting is another technique used in foundry technology. In this process, a metal alloy is injected or poured into a mold cavity, producing a high quality and detailed finished part. Die-casting is used to create parts with tight tolerances, surface details, and intricate shapes. Die casting is commonly used to produce components with precision, making it ideal for a wide range of applications including automotive, electronics, and medical.
Investment Casting
Investment casting is a highly-specialized process used to produce intricate and complex parts with precise dimensions. Investment casting starts with the development of a wax-injected pattern and then building up a ceramic shell around it. A fire-resistant investment material is then added to the shell and it is fired. When the shell is heated, the wax melts and is burned off leaving a cavity that is filled with molten metal. After the metal cools and solidifies, the shell is broken off, revealing a finely detailed part that requires minimal post-processing.
Final Thoughts
Foundry technology plays an important role in nearly every industry, from automotive to aerospace. Skilled craft workers, cutting-edge technology, and precise engineering practices are used to produce a variety of objects from a wide range of metals and other materials. Though foundries provide a variety of processes, such as sand casting, die casting, and investment casting, each has its own unique benefits and challenges. Companies can work in close collaboration with their foundry in order to find the best process to match their production needs.
