It’s expected that the global market for composite materials in the military will reach an all-time high of $966.4 million by 2027. That’s because it’s used in a wide variety of applications, such as airplanes, military vehicles, and missiles. You can even find it utilized in the construction of protective body armor.
However, much of this technology requires highly specialized materials and parts. In many cases, these parts can’t be put together by hand.
Here’s what you need to know about cast molding services, what they offer to your industry, and how it all works.
What is Cast Molding?
Cast molding involves pouring a liquid material into casting molds and allowing it to solidify. In this way, you can mass-produce specific shapes for different kinds of materials and parts.
A molding and casting worker inspects these molds to make sure the proper amount is being cast. They also monitor the equipment to make sure there are no cracks or leaks in the mold.
You can use a variety of different materials in the casting process, depending on the end product. For example, die casting uses alloys like aluminum and copper-based alloys.
Types of Casting Processes
Cast molding companies will likely use various different processes for different industries and end products.
Sand casting is one type that uses silica-based materials to form the mold. Therefore, relatively inexpensive and can be used to make larger components.
Investment casting uses a wax pattern as the mold. Molten metal is poured into the shape, and the shell is broken away to reveal the completed casting.
It’s important to know what kind of casting your companies provide so you can better understand their limits.
Benefits of Service
There are many advantages to cast molding services, such as improved speed and product quality.
For one, metal casting is a much more cost-effective way to acquire parts and avoid machining. It’s specifically useful for low-volume manufacturing of specific or unorthodox parts.
Making complex structures is easier, as adjustments are easily made to the molds. These casts can also be sized up or down as needed.
There are also metal casting companies that use recycled materials to reduce waste. This is possible due to the nature of the process, which uses liquid metal.
The end result of these methods is that they’re helpful for most industries around the world. Even the agricultural industry uses casted metals made to resist corrosion and last a long time.
Cast Molding Made Easy
The only problem with cast molding is that you need the right equipment and setup. With these companies, you get access to their process control, unparalleled design, and customization options. Some even offer sustainable processes for companies who care about the environment.
SMI Composites is a Georgia-based global leader in composite technologies. Our technology serves the Department of Defense, automotive industries, and more. Contact us or request a quote online.
