Casting Sourcing

The casting sourcing process requires an in-depth knowledge of the commodities or components that are to be sourced, as there are numerous variables and impacts on cost that must first be understood. Metal castings can be especially complex to procure, with the first considerations that dictate casting process options being the design of the part, the service application and the volume.

Essential Considerations When Sourcing Castings

Sourcing a casting is a highly individual process that’s very much determined by the specifics of the project at hand. For instance, a demand to source a part with weight constraints could place less emphasis on the property of strength, and could therefore be met with an aluminium alloy. Such an alloy typically possesses a low melting temperature, enabling a full variety of casting options – including die casting, investment casting, forging and more – to be pursued (dependent, of course, on the size and complexity of the design). Volume of parts would come into play as well, as certain approaches like the die casting process would not be viable for a small number of castings as a result of the tooling outlay, whereas sand casting or investment casting may be a better option.

Conversely, if strength was the driver behind the sourcing of a particular casting, as it would be if you required a vehicle tow bar for instance, then forging would be ideal, as it produces parts that are intrinsically strong, as long as the part is restricted to a simple design. Other demands may require a part that would stand up to a corrosive environment (such as you may find on an oil rig), and in such a situation a stainless-steel grade or more exotic alloy would be worth considering, although this in turn would remove the option to select die casting, as the melting point of stainless steel and the like is simply too high.

Dean Group – Expert & Informed Casting Sourcing from Start to Finish

For the above reasons, it’s absolutely essential that the required design and technical output are in place at the outset of the process to source castings. A few hundred parts would not justify the consideration of die casting, but several thousand parts in a low temperature alloy may justify keeping the design of the said parts within the automated restrictions of this process. Die casting would be a suitable choice to settle on, so it would make sense to bear its particulars in mind during the early stages.

All of this information needs to be identified as soon as possible, and this is where Dean Group add real value. We take all design, engineering and functionality requirements into account, running casting simulations to ensure the best possible integrity and repeatability of quality. This means that the chosen process will not only bring short term savings, but also long-term success as a result of having sourced the most effective process. For more information, or to enquire about our full range of services, contact Dean Group today by calling 0161 775 1633 or emailing sales@deangroup-int.co.uk.