There are many steps and things to consider when manufacturing products through the technique of casting and the casting process. This guide explains the process involved with casting and benefits of using this popular forming method.
In casting, a molten metal or other material fills a mold , then cools and hardens into a desired shape. However, a manufacturer must plan out post-cast steps to ensure effective results. Proper care should be taken at each step to deliver a final product that maintains proper quality and integrity.
Casting is but one method of metal shaping, as there are many other options, including welding, forging, stamping, extrusion and machining. Before settling on casting, you should first understand the benefits that the process provides over these other techniques. The casting process:
- Ability to create complex geometries: Liquid metal facilitates construction of intricate designs, in either simple or complex geometries.
- Fast production cycles: Once the casting tools are in order, very little maintenance and downtime is necessary. This makes casting an option for mass production applications.
- Workability of hard metals: Casting is often one of the only viable manufacturing processes for hard metals that are not malleable enough for solid state shaping.
- Reduced assembly: Oftentimes, casting can creatle items in a single, complete component, eliminating the need to assemble multiple pieces.
- Minimal sizing restraints: Casting can create extremely small to extremely large parts, even up to 200 tons.
- Versatile surface textures: Casting molds can be designed to deliver smooth, semi-smooth or rough surface textures.
Read more: Processes Involved with Casting
