TECHNOLOGIES:
SAND -
Sorry, it's not rocket science. I've known one truly great sandallurgist. I know a couple of good ones, and I can bring them to the table. But I know a lot about sand. I can read your data and tell you what needs to be changed. That's synergy. But do you want to know the best thing you can do to improve poor sand conditions (other than holding the normal parameters where they should be)? Just look at it! Look, at your sand. Get a stereo-microscope and look at it. What do you see? Need help? Need some training? Call me. Now, feel it. That's right, feel your sand. Yes, the old experienced foundrymen who could squeeze a ball of sand and tell you what to do were right on. With automated molding we don't train people that way anymore. You've got to get your hands dirty to be a good sandallurgist. We can follow the handbooks, run the tests, check the numbers. But, when you can't even tell the difference between sand defects and slag defects or even blow defects, we need to learn what we are "looking" at.
CHEMISTRY -
Sorry, it's not rocket science, either. It just takes years of education and experience to know the combinations that cause defects or poor properties.
TOOLING -
Tooling design is incredibly complex. We are trying to hold tooling development cost down while achieving the necessary dimensional control at the minimal production cost.
The number of decisions here is mind-boggling. You want the best people you can find on this effort.
I also offer cutting tools, abrasives, hardfacing, epoxies, and other tooling supplies. Cryogenic treatment of your tools and production wear parts can increase life anywhere
from 40% to 600% depending on tooling material. Call for information and a quote.
CASTING INNOVATION -
The Herron Casting Process produces higher integrity castings at higher production speeds. See the "Patented Solutions" above, especially the movie and powerpoints found there.