mize mold design for quality and cost. In
addition, these software packages are
integrating to a greater degree with
Finite Element Analysis and other
designer analysis tools to validate
mechanical properties and casting quality from both a manufacturer and end-user perspective.
LOOKING FOR A REBOUND
The future of the U.S. metalcasting
industry is strong. Shipments are
expected to rebound from the lows of
the current recession back to 2006 and
2007 levels. While imports will continue to be a threat to the industry, the
advanced manufacturing technologies
of the U.S. industry as well as the
advantage in time to market makes
this country’s casting supply base a
formidable global player now and in
the future. The challenge to the U.S.
ALFRED SPADA is editor/publisher of Modern Casting
and Metal Casting Design & Purchasing magazines,
and director of marketing, communications and
public relations for the American Foundry Society
( www.afsinc.org). Spada regularly speaks to both
metalcasters and casting buyers about the present
and future of the global metalcasting industry,
casting applications and casting design. Reach him
at alfred@afsinc.org.
valve_magazine_ad_08_08 8/14/08 4: 37 PM Page 1
metalcasting industry is to stay ahead
of its customer base in developing new
products and technologies that meet
their future needs for performance. VM
Advanced Rapid Prototype (RP)
Techniques
Time to market is critical for all industries. Metalcasting continues to leap forward in RP technologies that replicate
the metalcasting process and allow toolless casting production in days. Recent
advancements have capitalized on the
previous successes in ceramic mold
processes and now have branched to
sand molding processes by either building sand molds in RP machines or by
machining sand molds from a block of
cured metalcasting sand.
New Metal Alloys
In the last decade, metalcasting has seen
a growth in new materials for a variety of
applications. Austempered ductile iron
has become a prime option for converting
steel fabrications to iron castings at
reduced weights and costs with improved
performance. Compacted graphite iron
has become a growing option for automotive and truck components, especially
engine blocks. As new legislation restricting lead use is proposed, no- and low-lead
copper alloys have become critical in
water applications. High-strength aluminum alloy use (and the casting
processes required to produce the components) is growing as OEMs strive to
reduce weight by using aluminum to
replace steel and iron applications.
Reduce Corrosion, Abrasion, Wear and Sticking on Valves
New Casting Processes
Advances in manufacturing methods for
metalcasting are moving forward in
areas such as using pressure and vacuum
in sand, ceramic and metal mold processes to improve the quality and mechanical
properties of components. In vacuum
environments, metalcasters can eliminate
gas entrapment in the castings by filling
molds from the bottom, thereby ensuring
only the highest quality metal solidifies
with the best grain structure possible.
Maximize production by
protecting valves and
other critical parts.
General Magnaplate's metal coatings will prevent wear, corrosion
and galling and increase release properties on critical parts to
maximize production. Magnaplate's coatings are USDA, FDA and
Agri-Canada compliant and NSF approved. Our technical team will
work directly with you to develop custom coatings to solve
specific problems.
Tel: 800.441.6173 (US & Canada)
Tel: + 1.908.862.6200 (International)
www.magnaplate.com
