Frequently Asked Questions
Design and Production
- How much do I need to know and where do I find information about casting design? Answer.
- How does early design involvement with Pentz benefit my design project? Answer.
- What if I need prototypes or a small number of parts? Answer.
- Can prototype tooling be used for production? Answer.
- Can changes be made to tooling before it is complete? Answer.
- What is a core? When do I need them? Answer.
- What kind of parts do you cast at your foundry? Any size limitations? Answer.
- What kind of post-casting operations does Pentz provide? Answer.
- Does Pentz operate its own machine shop? Answer.
- Does Pentz produce parts that meet military, automotive, aerospace and medical device requirements? Answer.
- What is Reverse Engineering? Answer.
- What are the benefits of real-time X-ray? Answer.
Q: How much do I
need to know and where do I find information about casting
design?
A: A good starting point to
learn about casting design is our Design
Process Guide.
Q: How does early
design involvement with Pentz benefit my design project?
A; When you involve Pentz
experts early in your design, our specialized knowledge
can help you design your project to include:
- Accelerated product development cycle
- Lower total part cost
- Improved product quality
- More robust design
Q: What if I need
prototypes or a small number of parts?
A. Pentz offers a full range
of prototype and low volume production services. If you need
an aluminum prototype we can often save you time and money
with our unique “rapid tooling and casting” techniques.
Learn more about our rapid
prototyping, rapid
tooling and rapid casting services.
Q: Can prototype
tooling be used for production?
A: Yes, we design our prototype
patterns so they may be used as short run production tooling.
Actual tool life will vary based on application.
Q: Can changes be
made to tooling before it is complete?
A: Yes, one of the advantages
of our patterns is their modular construction. This enables
us to make changes quickly while minimizing the cost impact.
Q: What is a core?
When do I need them?
A: Essentially, a core is a
preformed sand aggregate placed in a mold to provide holes
and shapes, such as interior walls, that cannot be shaped
by the pattern. Pentz has a wide range of core making capabilities
including SO2, Shell and No Bake cores. Our tooling engineers
would be happy to answer any questions regarding core design
and applications.
Q: What kind of
parts do you cast at your foundry? Any size limitations?
A: Pentz specializes in precision
high quality castings. We have substantial experience in
marine, medical, automotive, aerospace and industrial and
architectural components. We have produced parts in sizes
from 1 inch to 12 feet in length and routinely produce parts
with intricate and complex shapes. See examples of
parts.
Q: What kind of post-casting operations does
Pentz provide?
A: We do machining, heat treat,
anodizing, chemical treatment, painting, surface texturing,
testing and full assembly.
Take a tour of our facility.
Q: Does Pentz operate its own machine shop?
A: Yes, Pentz has a fully integrated
machine shop to support foundry and tool making operations.
Learn
more about our machining capabilities.
Q: Does Pentz produce
parts that meet military, automotive, aerospace and medical
device
requirements?
A: Yes, we have produced
parts for all of the above and others. Our quality staff
is happy to work with you to develop a
quality plan to meet your specifications. We have a full
range of test and measurement equipment including real-time
X-ray, spectrographic analysis, tensile strength, hardness
and
die penetrant testing. Learn more about our Quality
Systems.
Q: What is Reverse Engineering?
A: In the casting industry,
reverse engineering (RE) is the process of using an existing
part as a model to create
a CAD file to produce either a prototype or production
parts. At Pentz, the CAD file is created from highly accurate
digital images produced by laser scanning or by CMM measurement
of an existing part. The CAD files may be used to produce
prototype models from SLA, FDM or LOM prototyping methods
or CNC machined tooling for production parts. Learn more
about our Reverse Engineering
Process.
What are the benefits of real-time X-ray?
A: Real-time X-ray enables
us to respond immediately to process problems and ensure
the highest structural quality. It
is also environmentally friendly. There are no products
such as film or hazardous chemicals to dispose of. It is
cost effective. It requires no expensive film or destruction
of parts and eliminates the need for additional testing
of physical properties. Learn more about
our real time X-ray capabilities.