The unique shape of this drivetrain tumbler lent itself to casting. The tumbler at right is a weldment of multiple castings.


experts in their fi eld before entering into a contract. Zick said Manitowoc Cranes understands metal castings don’t perform in the same way as other engineered components, but the company expects not to fi nd voids in critical areas of cast parts. “We expect the use of fl ow and solidifi cation modeling,”


Zick said. “We won’t design around a bad casting. Before we go into production, we like to see the design validated.” For Manitowoc Cranes’ part, the company focuses on understanding how each metalcasting facility operates in order to maintain some control over the casting supply process. This means designing certain parts specifi cally for the processes (investment or sand) and production methods that are in place at different facilities. “We may have separate part numbers on the same


component, because of the different processes,” Zick said. “We would rather put more effort into the part design so it is made appropriately at each facility.” Keeping tabs on the metalcasting facility from a pur- chasing perspective is its own challenge, Reybrock said. “We try to understand all the cost drivers, the makeup,


the complexity,” he said. “We use that information in ne- gotiations and to help the [metalcasting facility].” In the end, Manitowoc Cranes is concerned about what every


casting supplier should be—lead time, cost and quality. “Cost is weighted heavily, but it is by no means the most important,” Reybrock said. “Quality is the most important, and functionally, the part has to perform.”


Maintaining the Expertise Cioni said Manitowoc Cranes makes it a general policy


to ensure its engineering team is detailed and understands SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 METAL CASTING DESIGN AND PURCHASING 25


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