Palmer Mixer

Palmer Mixer

Spokane Industries has replaced an Omco batch mixer (50# batches) with a new continuous mixer that will enhance our coring abilities.  In light of the size of the castings we are making currently, the quality of the cores will improve dramatically.  With our previous sand system, we had to mix in 50# batches at a time, which can potentially create layers of sand that have subtle variations in strength.  With our new core system, we will have continuous feed and consistent sand pours that will eliminate this variable.

The new Palmer Mixer allows us to move more efficiently into the realm of a 2 sand feeding system that allows either silica sand or specialty sand.

Additionally, we are moving away from spraying the cores – which lacks consistency from operator to operator – to “flow coating” - which creates a more consistent wash coating and allows for greater material penetration.  These 2 processes are expected to greatly enhance our efficiencies and minimize scrap and waste.

With this new addition we are taking the opportunity to redesign the floor plan of the coring department, which will allow for less material handling, less wasted movement and greater productivity.

New Palmer Mixer Installation

Quench Filtration

Quench Filtration

Our engineering staff has conducted an in-house research project to ascertain the efficiency of filtered water in our quench tanks as opposed to the current quench tank usage, which recycled the same water repeatedly.  The results were quite compelling.  It was discovered that the cleaner the water, the better the properties attained in the quenching process.  Cleaner water creates a “more severe” quench – facilitating more consistent and predictable results, allowing for a tighter tolerance band for our mechanical testing. 

This filtration system with it’s $18K price tag more than pays for itself by eliminating the need to test and dispose of quench water on an annual basis while at the same time delivering more consistent and reproducible results. 

New Quench Filtration System

New Air Compressor Installation

Bldg. #4 air compressor

Consistent air pressure is a constant need in a foundry, and we struggle with a shortage of air from time to time.   The need for compressed air is driven by several departments, most notably the molding and finishing departments.  A shortage of air can affect mold quality, productivity, and efficiency throughout the production process. 

While we recognize that sales orders are below capacity, we are taking a pro-active approach to building infrastructure for future potential, understanding that we want to be prepared for the next wave of opportunity.

Adding a new air compressor serves this philosophy in 2 ways.  First, we are able to maintain consistent air pressure throughout the plant at all times; second, this gives us the opportunity to improve our finishing capabilities by 30%.

New Ingersoll Rand Compressor

Digital Controls

Spokane Industries Updates Dust Collection Facilities

Spokane Industries is proud to announce a substantial update to it’s Dust Collection facilities for it’s Precision Investment Castings Division.  Installed by Filter Technologies, this improves capacity to a total of 38,000 cfm, an increase of 28,000 cfm over the previous system.  This new state-of-the-art system exemplifies Spokane Industries’ “Attitude of Excellence.” 

SPOKANE, WA – MAY 2013: 

As an industry leader committed to minimizing environmental impact,  maximizing conservation, and improving safety, Spokane Industries has tripled its dust collection capacity utilizing the highest standards in eco-friendly production practices.  A Filter Technologies Model 140 – 1.5 M PB Dust Collector was recently installed at it’s Spokane Investment Casting Division location – augmenting it’s existing Torit Downflo Model DF T4-16 dust collection system.

These upgrades cover all areas of the shop removing fine particulates and pollutants from any possible facility emissions, further purifying the air in the Investment Castings production facility and improving the comfort and safety for all of it’s employees. 

With a future expansion capacity of 11,000 cmf, this new equipment will handily manage the air purification needs in its newly acquired 10,000 sq. ft. expansion.

Visit our website at www.SpokaneIndustries.com to learn more about Spokane Industries and give us your feedback on our new upgrades by posting a comment on our Facebook page.

Casting Demonstration Wows Audience at GSI Manufacturing and Career Expo - Spokane

Casting Demonstration Wows Audience at

GSI Manufacturing and Career Expo

Spokane Industries Steel Castings and Investment Castings Divisions participated in the Greater Spokane Inc. Manufacturing and Career Expo, May 14^th & 15^th at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.  We  enjoyed immense success with the “Foundry-In-A-Box” demonstrations provided by the American Foundry Society. 

 Foundry-In-A-Box is essentially a hands-on, green sand molding and molten steel pouring demonstration that provides a unique and live demonstration of the casting process.  The kit contains two different molds to choose from, sand augmented with bentonite and light oil to replicate foundry sand, tamping tools, release product, etc. - all that is required to simulate the creation of the cope and drag (top and  bottom) of the sand mold, as done in the foundry.

Once the mold is made and closed, tin is melted in a specially equipped microwave oven and poured into the mold.  At Spokane Industries we specialize in carbon and low alloy steels that require extremely high temperatures to melt.  Given its low melting point and ease of handling, tin is used for demonstration purposes.  

The trade show attendees were able to witness the actual casting process from start to finish.  Casting is a complex process and the hands-on demonstrations vastly enhance our ability to educate the uninitiated about our processes and discuss what makes us unique in the marketplace. 

Our success with these demonstrations is evidenced by show goers overwhelming our neighbor’s booths to get a glimpse of what all the excitement in our booth was about.  We are working on a similar demonstration of our investment casting procedure to show off that process in the future.

The Greater Spokane Manufacturing Expo boasted more than 90 companies and attracted over 1,200 students from regional schools.  It is a great venue to recruit students and other attendees for future employment opportunities, and share the process, applications and benefits of castings.

Foundry In A Box

“The response to our “Foundry in a Box” that we purchased from AFS was amazing!  We are always looking for new ways to get prospective employees interested in the foundry.  This is it!”  

Tracei Scofield, HR Director, Spokane Industries.