Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a Casting Solution
- Why choose an aluminum casting? Answer.
- Should I cast or machine an aluminum part? Answer.
- What makes Pentz castings so unique? Answer.
- Why do Pentz castings have a superior "as cast" surface finish? Answer.
- What casting process should I use? Answer.
- Is the sand cast process capable of producing high production volumes? Answer.
- Where do I find information about dimensional tolerances and draft angles for aluminum castings? Answer.
Q: Why choose an aluminum casting?
A: Some of the key reasons
include:
- Complex shapes can be cast in at a significantly lower cost than machining.
- Excellent strength to weight ratio
- Corrosion resistance
- Large size parts can be cast that would otherwise be impossible to produce.
- Ease of machining
- Impact resistance
- Excellent performance at high and low temperatures
- Shielding and nonmagnetic properties
- Two or more structures can be molded as one casting thereby reducing assembly cost.
Q: Should I cast or machine an aluminum
part?
A; There are very few instances where machining or hogging
out a part from aluminum stock is cost effective. We cast
near
net shape parts at a fraction of the cost of a machined
part. If machining is needed, it is generally to perform
finishing touches such as threading or facing of a surface.
Q: What makes Pentz castings so unique?
A. Pentz has earned a reputation for providing the finest "as
cast" surface, highest structural integrity, vacuum- and pressure-proof and
closest
tolerances in the industry. Pentz products far exceed industry,
government and military specifications.
Q: Why do Pentz castings have a superior
"as cast" surface finish?
A: It has been said that
you can give a person paper and pencil but it does not
make them an artist. This analogy
holds
true for building castings: Pentz' ability to consistently
produce high quality "as cast" surface finishes
has been developed over many years and millions of parts.
Our "as cast" surface finish far exceeds the
RMS of all standard industry specifications.
Q: What casting process should I use?
A: We have several processes
available including precision green sand, precision dry sand and permanent mold. There
are
a number of factors to consider when selecting a process,
including the type of alloy to be molded, dimensional tolerance
requirements, structural requirements, machining and post-machining
operations. Our team of process experts will assist you
in selecting the right process based on your part requirements.
See our Molding
Process Comparison Table.
Q: Is the sand cast process capable of producing high production
volumes?
A: Yes, with our advanced automated sand cast equipment we
can make a mold every 30 seconds.
Q: Where do I find
information about dimensional tolerances and draft angles
for aluminum castings?
A: View our Molding
Process Comparison Table.