What to Look For When Choosing a Casting Supplier

07 Oct.,2024

 

What to Look For When Choosing a Casting Supplier

The process of choosing the right metal casting supplier should not be the same as choosing your supplier for bolts, manufacturing equipment, or office supplies. While some may treat metal castings as a commodity, they are far from it and the process of selecting the right supplier for a specific application requires careful consideration.

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Supplier qualification is the most important part of the purchasing process. Traditionally, a purchaser&#;s primary responsibility was to find qualified and responsive suppliers. In some cases, purchasers assumed that any supplier willing to contractually meet the purchase requirement was qualified. However, using low cost and unqualified suppliers can cause quality issues, and wasted time and money in the long run.

To help you through the process, here are some things to consider when choosing the right metal casting supplier.  

Experience in Your Market

When selecting the right foundry to work with, determine if they have experience in your market. A metal supplier that truly understands your products, applications, terminology, and pain points can anticipate needs and potential problems. This is especially important in defense, nuclear, aerospace or other high compliance markets. The good news is that most casting manufacturers will publish their key markets on their websites, making it easy to determine when considering a supplier.

Process Diversity

Companies try to sell you what they have to offer and some casting suppliers only offer one type of casting process. For example, a company that only uses the investment casting process will try to sell you on why that process is best for your application.  But what if using the sand casting process is best for you and your needs? Instead, look for a supplier that offers a range of casting processes so the best option for YOU is selected.

If your components have a range of designs, applications, and sizes, it is likely that the best casting process is not the same for every part. If working with a single source for all of your casting needs is important to you, the supplier needs to be diverse in its capabilities. When combined with other integrated capabilities, this can help simplify and compress the supply base.  

Product Quality, Service, and Price

When selecting the right casting supplier, careful consideration should be given to quality, service, and price. Take an internal audit on what really is important to you, noting that most companies may be acceptable in all areas but can probably only truly excel in one. If the lowest price possible is most important, for example, the supplier will likely not be world class in quality and service.  Which are your &#;Must haves&#;? Lowest price?  Meet the spec?  Quick response?  Easy to do business with?

Certifications and Testing

Does your application require that the casting supplier have proper certifications such as ASME, Nadcap, or PED? If so, confirm that your potential supplier has the proper certs.  Granted, a supplier could go through the process to obtain the required certifications but more than likely, time does not allow for that. Most casting suppliers will list their certifications on their website, and companies are searchable by certification. Be diligent.

Do you require non-destructive testing (NDT), mechanical testing, or chemical testing? While all metal casting suppliers can outsource any needed testing, some have all those capabilities in-house which can potentially save time and money. If your application does not require any testing, a casting supplier specializing in high compliance work with in-house capabilities may not be the right fit either.   

Machining Capabilities

Buyers increasingly select casting suppliers who have machining capabilities. This can avoid conflict if defects are discovered during machining. If a third party is machining, it may result in &#;finger-pointing&#; about who is at fault. Is it a casting issue or a machining issue?  If the casting supplier discovers an issue during machining, the problem is resolved faster with no dispute over whose fault it is. The foundry &#;owns it&#; and there is less time needed for processing, shipping, and handling or replacing. Problem or no, integrated machining simplifies the supply chain and reduces handling time and shipping cost before the product makes it to the customer.  

Choosing The Right Supplier

Value Added Services

What do you need from your casting supplier? Are you looking for someone to just deliver a metal component to your doorstep or do you need more?  For example, if you do not have in-house metallurgy expertise, confirm that the supplier can provide guidance in selecting the proper alloy based on your specific application.  Do you have a need to raise the expertise of the overall metal in your company through training or information sharing?

Do you want a supplier who can review your design and material selection and provide recommendations to make your products last longer or save money? Some suppliers may do a great job producing a product to spec but have few other capabilities. Others will exceed the letter of the PO to help you save time and money.

Do you have requirements for both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys? Some foundries are limited or specialized. Make sure the supplier can meet all your material or alloy requirements to eliminate the need for multiple suppliers. 

Tour Their Facility 

What better way to determine if someone is the right casting supplier than to see their operations firsthand with a plant tour? Most manufacturers are more than happy to have you as a guest in an effort to gain your business. If, by the end of the tour, you have doubts about operations, capability or culture, they are probably not the right supplier for you.

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • Does the supplier have experience in your products and/or markets?
  • Can the supplier fulfill several of your product requirements to limit the number of needed vendors?
  • What is REALLY important to you? Is it quality? Price? Customer service? Something else? How do supplier strengths compare with your needs?
  • Does the supplier currently have the certifications you require?
  • Does the supplier have the proper testing capabilities?
  • Do they regularly deal with the alloys required?
  • What value-added services do you need? Does the supplier offer them?
  • Is the company stable with a strong history and future?
  • What are their values and do they align with yours?
  • Do you see your company doing business with them? Can you build a relationship with them?
  • What is the supplier&#;s casting products list?

Conclusion

While some may treat metal castings as a commodity, they are far from it, and therefore, the process for selecting the right supplier for your specific application requires careful consideration. Take an internal audit of your company&#;s needs and wants, and determine what is most important. Research the supplier&#;s website. Talk to a sales rep or business associate. Ask a lot of questions. Visit their facility. Get an understanding of what they can do for you and if you can see yourself building a strong, mutual relationship with them.

Choosing The Best Aluminum Foundry for Your ...

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How to Choose the Best Aluminum Foundry for Your Manufacturing Needs

As a manufacturer, you know that finding reliable aluminum casting foundry services can be a difficult task. With so many options available, it&#;s hard to know who is right for your specific requirements. When choosing the best aluminum foundry for your manufacturing needs, several important factors must be considered.

Asking the foundry questions, considering their quality, and researching their qualifications will help ensure that you select an aluminum casting provider who can deliver both quality results and exceptional customer service. In this blog post, we&#;ll cover some key points to consider when selecting the best aluminum foundry for your manufacturing needs and other important tips.

1. Your Potential Aluminum Foundry Should Have Experience & Expertise

When selecting an aluminum foundry for your manufacturing requirements, it&#;s crucial to study several factors. One of the most critical aspects to consider is the experience and competence of the foundry. Choosing a foundry who has the right knowledge of the aluminum casting process, and the portfolio to show for it, helps to have a successful outcome for your project.

The foundry should be able to provide you a list of past projects or customer references that showcase their skill and attention to detail. These references help to confirm that the foundry has the necessary equipment and processes to produce your products efficiently and cost-effectively. 

In addition, a good aluminum foundry should have a dedicated team of engineers who can provide you with guidance and advice on product development to start your project off in the right direction.  Preparation and planning are key to a successful project. Having the experience and industry knowledge to engineer your castings for optimal production and quality outcomes will streamline the project. 

Producing aluminum castings requires a complex set of processes to achieve the right results. When deciding on a new aluminum foundry to partner with, ensure they have extensive industry experience and are knowledgeable about all aspects of the aluminum casting process:  design, production, material analysis, and product testing. These expertise will allow them to give you valuable advice on which casting processes, alloys, and techniques should be used for your project to produce the best final product. The foundry should also have a proven track record of delivering exceptional products that meet or exceed customer expectations.

2. The Quality Control of the Aluminum Casting Process

Quality control should also be at the top of your list when choosing an aluminum foundry. By working with a qualified foundry who follows the standards for quality control, you can protect the integrity of your product and ensure it meets your specifications.

Quality Measures For Aluminum Part Production

Using aluminum castings  as a component in your product offers many benefits, but none without proper attention to quality control.  Aluminum cast parts made by an experienced foundry should be subject to rigorous quality control measures. Check that the foundry has a quality assurance policy that includes regular inspections and testing of cast aluminum products as well as quality control over manufacturing processes and materials. Ideally, the foundry that you choose has NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) capabilities in-house, but if not, ensure that the foundry has access to accredited quality labs. That is why using a reliable foundry who understands the importance of quality control measures like BAF, helps ensure that your end product checks all the right boxes.

QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS & TOLERANCES

Verifying the aluminum foundry you partner with is familiar with, and capable of meeting industry-based specifications is another critical step.  Several specifications have been published by accredited associations to set standards for aluminum castings used in both commercial and defense applications, including the ASTM, the American Aluminum Association, and the military sector.  Boose sets their production parameters to meet the following specifications:

  • Aluminum Association Commercial Castings
  • ASTM B26/B26M &#; Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings
  • MIL-A-D Class D or C &#; High-strength aluminum alloy castings
  • Tolerances: per Aluminum Association Standards

Certifications & Accreditations For Aluminum Part Manufacturing Processes

Additionally, inquire about any certifications or third-party accreditations that the foundry holds. These accolades demonstrate their commitment to producing high-quality parts and can indicate their reliability and attention to detail. Checking for these certifications should be on your checklist if your aluminum castings are destined for use in specific operations since certain industries require additional certifications.

Aerospace & Medical Industry Certification Standards

Aluminum foundry-held certifications are required to make parts for the aerospace and medical industry such as ISO certifications. These certifications help ensure the aluminum castings are produced safely and adhere to quality standards.

3. The Range Of Services The Foundry Offers

When looking for an aluminum foundry, it is important to consider its range of services. These services can include things like:

  • Casting design and product development
  • Solidification Modeling
  • Pattern making
  • Prototyping
  • Core making processes: shell, cold box, no-bake, 3D sand printing
  • Molding processes: sand casting in no-bake or green sand, permanent mold, die casting, etc.
  • Surface finishing: grinding, abrasive blast
  • Heat treatment
  • Non-destructive testing: radiography, liquid penetrant inspection, Brinell, tensile strength, gauging
  • Metallurgical analysis
  • 3D printing
  • First Article Inspection/PPAP: 3D Scanned or Traditional Layout
  • Machining capabilities or guidance towards reliable machine shops familiar with castings.

By selecting a company who offers services that meet or exceed your product requirements, you can be sure that your project will be completed with the utmost precision and efficiency.

Aluminum Foundry Specialization

Certain aluminum foundries specialize in specific types of manufacturing processes or casting methods. Different parts require different production techniques to cast aluminum, such as sand casting or die casting . It is important to select a foundry that can accommodate your specific needs and provide the focus in the area you require.  At Boose Aluminum, we specialize in quality sand casting including both greensand and chemically bonded no-bake sand molding techniques. 

From the composition of aluminum alloys to the control of molten aluminum temperature, and from the characteristics of the molding sand to the properties of a heat-treated casting, each step in the casting process is critical for achieving the desired result. Each foundry has their own experiences, specialties, and molding techniques.  Taking the time to find a reputable aluminum foundry that specializes in the casting method and alloy that will best provide you with your desired product is a critical first step in the process.  

Choose The Right Aluminum Foundry Partner With Boose Aluminum

At Boose Aluminum, we understand how important it is to find an experienced and reliable partner for all your aluminum casting needs. We have been providing quality solutions for our partners since and are confident in our ability to meet your exact specifications every time. Request a quote from our team of highly skilled professionals today!

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