Design Stage & Review
Engineering evaluation
At point of order, a detailed engineering evaluation is carried out by all the key disciplines including design, production and quality to help identify any potential issues. Where appropriate, control plans, gauges or any other job specific items can be organised in advance of samples and production.
Design Stage & Review
The design phase is the key to producing successful and repeatable quality parts. This will involve the creation of 3D CAD data (required for tool manufacture and casting simulation) and discussion with our customer’s design team to ensure fit and function are clearly understood. The 3D simulation enables us to develop the design with the best possible integrity and is proven to produce top quality castings, right first time and with quality designed in.
Design review and evaluation is one of the key stages in ensuring the quality of the manufactured product.
This review will include:
- Is the tool design viable?
- Can we manufacture the casting?
- Commercial viability and potential areas for cost reduction
- Best material options to fit the requirements
- FEA analysis
- Tolerances
- Fit and function
This proactive approach enables us to develop and optimise the part with consideration to weight restrictions, mechanical properties such as elongation, tensile strength and hardness and function requirements whilst not losing sight of commercial constraints.
Key design considerations and benefits:
- Converting expensive fabrications into sound castings
- Improved quality by following the above proven process
- Ensuring the right process is chosen
For more information, please see our Case Studies.
Simulation
Our bespoke 3D simulation software is implemented on all new jobs and is proven to produce castings with extremely high cast integrity and this in turn ensures that the on-going quality is maintained.
Simulation allows us to:
- Eliminate potential quality problems (e.g. porosity, shrinkage) prior to production
- Optimise casting weight
- Increase design flexibility with confidence
- Design efficient production and quality plans
- Ensure the long term quality of production
- Maximise design for cost effectiveness
We repeat simulations until we achieve the highest standard result. Communication and input from the customer is essential at this stage as occasionally design changes are required in order to maximise design for the best casting integrity and most benefits and savings.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Testing – Conversion from fabrication to a casting
In order to ensure that casting designs meet minimum function requirements, finite element analysis (FEA) can be used to examine loading effects on specific areas of the part. This is especially useful when comparing different processes and enables localised changes to overcome identified issues.
Benefits of finite element analysis:
- Comparison of different processes e.g. how does the casting compare to the equivalent fabrication
- Optimisation of material sections: no longer constrained by wrought sections (e.g. if 3.7mm provides the required strength, why use 4mm?)
- Provides extra layer of confidence for safety critical parts
- Can be used as part of a submission and approvals package