As a rule, overall size ratios within a single design should be kept at less than 4:1 to ensure uniform solidification. As molten metal shrinks when it freezes, the shapes within the design need to be considered – long, slender parts will freeze and shrink at a faster rate than stout or rounded shapes – so that shrinkage is better controlled. Be sure to ask about processes that will control shrinkage. Internal holes and passages are as easy to cast as external components such as flanges, shoulders, and bosses. An experienced casting foundry will give you the advantage of producing virtually any shape imaginable, no matter how complex, without significantly affecting the cost of the part. If your project is specific to the arms or aviation industry, it’s important to work with a casting foundry who has expertise in that sector. Choose a steel casting foundry that offers customized, cost-effective surface treatments and an online gallery of precision machining equipment. For steel castings, be sure to ask about surface treatments. Stainless steel investment casting produces high-precision parts with tight tolerances, but most commercial and industrial applications will require additional machining and testing prior to use. Ask about the metallurgical lab, the tools, and the inspection process. Using a steel casting foundry that performs all machining and testing in-house can save valuable time and budget.

While à la carte services may seem the best approach for tight budgets, the longer lead times due to shipping and back-and-forth can increase costs in the long run. If a steel casting foundry does not offer a one-stop mold making and casting service, be sure to ask about casting production costs, lead times, and budgets. Once you’ve located a few large casting foundries to compare, use the following criteria to help you select the right one: One-Stop ShopĪn experienced foundry will have a history in custom mold making, ideally in-house. While bigger doesn’t always mean better, a large casting foundry will have the best equipment, industry experience, and manpower to bring your project to life. Modern technology and machinery in today’s steel casting foundries produce custom stainless steel castings with extremely intricate detail and excellent dimensional accuracy. Stainless steel casting, which dates back to the early 1900’s, remains one of the most essential casting processes available to modern manufacturers.

Custom iron casting foundry