Webinar: Top 5 Casting Source Articles

21 Sep 2021

In this webinar, Batesville Products’ Tim Weber met with Shannon Wetzel, Managing Editor of the American Foundry Society’s Modern Casting and Casting Source publications.

Working at the American Foundry Society, Shannon has gained a plethora of knowledge about what’s happening in the casting industry.

We touch on topics such as…

  • Lead Time
  • Casting Cost Considerations
  • 3D Printing
  • Casting Conversion Case Studies

Download the Slide Deck

Lead Time

Lead time is affected by many factors. As always, it can be affected by…

  • Order date
  • Scheduling information shared
  • Complexity of part and if it fits into supplier’s abilities
  • If the supplier must re-engineer the part – save time on this step by following our quick guide on how to design for permanent mold!
  • Required operations (testing, machining, polishing, etc.)

Lead time is also affected by the current market. For example, in 2021 many suppliers are seeing labor shortages, material shortages, and port backlog. By sourcing our aluminum from North America, we have avoided material shortages. On-shoring your projects may be a way to combat long lead times or risk of port backlog.

Casting Cost Considerations

There are many considerations that affect cost, such as complexity, material, secondaries, specifications, testing, and even packaging.

Here are 10 more permanent mold questions you need to know when working on your next project.

3D Printing

3D printing is a popular prototyping tool for casting projects. As technology advances, 3D printing becomes more available and cost effective.

Case Studies

Weldments into Castings

Turning weldments into castings is the best way to save money. By switching to a casting, you can increase efficiency and reduce production and labor costs associated with separate machining and welding.

While Shannon shares a steel weldment that was transformed into an iron casting, Tim tells the story of a steel weldment that was transformed into an aluminum casting.

aluminum casting

BPI transformed this 12-piece separately machined and welded part into one structurally sound, repeatable casting. The customer saved 40% off their original production cost, and paid off their tooling in just two months.

City-Saving Castings

Castings are a part of everyday life. Did you know that on average, you will never be more than 10 feet away from a casting?

Shannon shares how castings are used in New Orleans to protect the city from flooding.

walker handles

Tim shares how Batesville Products creates medical castings, such as these handles for walkers for children. They are coated bright candy colors to make rehabilitation more cheerful for kids.

Browse our gallery to see more castings that fit into your everyday life!

It never hurts to check

Request a quote and a Batesville team member will be in touch to discuss your metalcasting goals and how our metalcasting experts can help make your next project a success.