Cast and Forged Standards
The advancement of production and manufacturing processes has come a long way since the creation of these two processes. Casting and forging are two distinct metallurgical processes which involve the maneuvering of metals and other materials in order to create products that can be used in a variety of applications. Standards of excellence and safety must be followed when producing items using either of these processes and there are a number of both international and national standards which must be adhered to.
The most relevant international standard for cast and forged products is the International Standard for Quality Assurance (ISQA). This international standard provides the highest level of quality and safety for cast and forged products and outlines the manual processes, testing and documentation requirements which must be followed when producing these products.
There are a number of national standards which are in place for cast and forged products. These include the NFPA 70-National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51 and ASTM A395, amongst others. The NEC, for example, is a set of guidelines which outlines the requirements for the installation of wiring systems in any business or industry. Ansi/AWWA C151/A21.51 is the American standard for the design and construction of water transmission main lines. ASTM A395 is an international standard which is used to test and rate the tensile strength of ferrous and nonferrous castings.
It should be noted that the specific requirements of each national standard may differ from country to country. This is because the government and industrial regulations of each country vary significantly. It is important that manufacturers ensure they are familiar with the specific requirements of their country so that they can comply with the regulations and produce cast and forged items of the highest quality.
When manufacturing cast or forged products, manufacturers must also take into account the safety of those who are responsible for the process and those who may be near the finished goods. As such, there are a number of safety standards which must be adhered to, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which sets the standards for the design, construction and testing of pressure vessels.
In addition to the safety standards, there are also a number of environmental standards which must be met when producing cast or forged products. Most countries have laws which restrict the amount of pollution created by companies and dictate certain environmental guidelines which must be adhered to in order to minimize the environmental impact of a manufacturer’s production process.
In conclusion, cast and forged products are a very important part of the global manufacturing industry. In order to ensure that the highest level of quality and safety is maintained, manufacturers must adhere to a number of international and national standards when producing their products. By familiarizing themselves with these standards and following the guidelines therein, manufacturers can ensure that their finished goods meet the highest levels of excellence and safety.
