You are asked to procure parts for a project for your company. It requires castings. Simple, right? The problem is you’re not exactly sure what a casting even is. That’s OK. We’ve helped a lot of customers understand what castings are and what kind fit their needs.

A few hints:

  • Make sure the metal type you need fits the foundry you are researching. Some pour iron, some pour steel, some brass and bronze, some aluminum. QCC pours gray iron, ductile iron, steel, high alloy steel and stainless steel.
  • Make sure the size of the casting fits the foundry you are researching. If the part you require came from a high production foundry, then you will want to know if the candidate has similar capabilities. Some foundries are low volume, job shops that handle short runs and short lead times. QCC pours between 10 pounds and 7,000 pounds and does order volumes as low as 1 and as high as 200.
  • Know what kind of surface finish is required. If it must be “smooth as glass,” you might want an investment casting which are generally expensive. QCC makes “no-bake” sand molds which produce a commercial-grade finish.
  • Can the foundry give you all the extras you need? Heat treatment, non-destructive testing, machining, painting? QCC can either perform these in-house or source all these things and be a one-stop shop for your casting requirements.
  • Generally speaking, buying castings isn’t simply transactional. You’re probably looking for a strategic partner for the long haul. You want a partner who not only knows the business inside and out (Quaker has been around since 1932) but who you genuinely enjoy interacting with. Make sure the foundry you choose is knowledgeable, helpful, proactive and friendly. QCC is all those things and ready to help!