When it comes to different steel casting manufacturers each has its own unique ways to get the necessary products. This gives every company a competitive edge. But the basic procedure is always same no matter how technologically advanced a foundry gets. This is why is essential to understand the basic process if someone wants to understand this industry or work in the metal casting trade.
Comprehending the basic steps and the necessary process helps in recognizing flaws or problems in different products and also streamline the production process if required.
Understanding what metal casting is all about
Even when metal casting takes place in modern foundries with advanced equipment, the process itself has been in existence for a long time. In simple steps, the metal is first melted and then the molten metal is poured in different moulds so that when it cools, the metal castings can be obtained from the moulds. It is one of the oldest industries that is still around.
It is still an essential industry where many of our daily used objects are manufactured. For instance items like automotive parts, lampposts and basically almost all metal items are made by metal casting.
Basic steps in metal casting process
Here are some of the basic steps that are followed by all steel casting manufacturers as well as other metal casters: - Patternmaking:What is arguable the first step of casting metal, is preparing the cast itself. Here the exterior of the cast is prepared with different items like wood, metal and even plastic or plater. When preparing industrial objects, it is important to prepare the right cast because precise cut items are able to fit and work properly.
- Melting and pouring the metal in the cast:This is the most important part of the casting process. After steel is melted it is poured into the mould and then allowed to cool down and solidify. After the mould has set, it is vibrated to remove any sand from the casting. The sand removed from the mould is cooled and again used in the next set of casting.
- Cleaning:After the sand is removed, the casting is removed from the mould and then thoroughly cleaned. This step is also called fettling. This helps in removing rough edges or any moulding materials that might have stuck to the metal.
Modern casting with high level of precision
While the modern metal casting process is the same, what sets it apart is the level of precision in the process. Almost all the daily metal objects we use is made by metal casting. Modern procedures has developed different alloys like steel and other materials that can withstand high temperature as well as cold.
The right steps can also yield metal parts that are light weight but at the same time extremely durable. However these require a lot of advanced procedure and different machinery. There are also different casting methods like die casting and plaster casting but casting with sand is most used when it comes to steel casting.