Precision Investment Castings
by: Jeff Kuntz, Division Manger
Manufacturing Design Engineers often specify machining out of stock material, metal parts that in practicality would be more cost effective and efficiently produced as an Investment Casting. This happens because of the familiarity and abundance of machining facilities compared to the relatively small quantity and less understood advantages of Investment Casting operations. Similarly, parts designed as fabrications are often well suited to conversion to castings. In that never-ending quest to increase efficiencies and lower costs, companies are discovering the value Investment Castings can bring to their product lines.
SPOKANE INDUSTRIES, through our
Precision Investment Castings Division, specializes in bringing near net shape casting production to the marketplace.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS can minimize dimensional tolerances without machining or other subcontracting methods so that you may have a finished product ready for rapid assembly. We’re able to produce parts that weigh as little as a few grams up to 80 pounds. In many cases, injecting multiple pieces or several different parts in a single die saves additional operations and reduces costs.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS offers an almost endless array of alloys. Carbon Steels, Low Alloy, 17-4, Tool Steels, Precipitation Hardening Alloys, Silicon Brass, 300 and 400 Series Stainless Steels, and most other air melts are common. We offer an endless number of commercial applications from the food, automotive, dental, military, and oil industries, to name a few. Our real forte is to get involved at the engineering genesis by taking multiple metal components that may currently be machined or fabricated and design them together. We can then create a single near net shape casting. This eliminates multiple operations, saves time, energy and money - to bring savings to the bottom line for our customers.
Converting fabrications to castings brings a multitude of benefits to a manufacturer. Investment Castings can oftentimes be designed much stronger, with less material, creating less weight and at the same time lower failure rates. In addition, where there are multiple parts creating a fabrication, a single casting can often times be designed to do the entire job. This results in assembly time savings, lower overhead, simplified workflow and improves uniformity and aesthetics.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS workforce is highly cross-trained. Employees are encouraged to move from department to department throughout our production areas where strong visual and written controls facilitate process standardization.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has implemented Lean Manufacturing processes where continuous improvement is ongoing and reducing variables ultimately drives lower costs.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS is augmented by in-house capabilities including machining, x-ray, full dimensional layout, spectrometer and Non-Destructive Testing of mechanical properties. We also perform Magnetic Particle Inspection, liquid penetrant and utilize heat-treat facilities both internally and contractually.
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has been part of the Spokane Industries family for 18 years.
SPOKANE INDUSTRIES, it’s parent company, has been in the foundry industry since the 1952. This offers full access to a large and diversified engineering department with the latest in CAD/CAM and Flow Test Analysis. We accept a large array of electonic files as well as your CAD/CAM files so that we can rapidly prototype and meet your specifications and schedules.
Jeff Kuntz, Spokane Precision Castings Production Manager states, “
SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has been working with industries from military grade castings – like Class II Armor Certified, to dental equipment castings with high esthetic appeal. We’re accustomed to producing quantities that range from low volume/high variety to commodity products that range up to 80 thousand Investment Castings every month. Our goal is to exceed the customers expectations at every opportunity.”
The combination of all of our in-house capabilities along with some local strategic partners help us stand alone in the marketplace and adds to our ability to help our customers meet their ever changing needs. Starting with our customers’ drawings and vision, we strive to meet all of your Investment Casting needs.
Bottom line – faster R and D, first articles get to you faster and ultimately saves you time and money. Isn’t that what it’s really all about?
