innovations CASTING
in the non-residential construc- tion industry, knew it needed to redesign its T20 Clamp. T e component, which was a part of a high-strength gang wall form- ing system, decreased construc- tion times for concrete walls by quickly connecting and aligning panels. But the three-piece component was not capable of performing as required. In part, this was due to design toleranc- es and draft that accompanied the sand casting process. T e supplier explored mul-
L
Cutting Cost, Weight with Ductile Iron Casting
ast year, a major supplier of con- crete accessories, wall forming and paving products
of the clamp by converting the male and female components to A897 austempered ductile iron. T e Sym-Ply T20 Clamp’s new design also eliminated the need for the customer to assemble the clamp after delivery. “T e fi nal clamp assem-
The three-piece ductile iron component cut costs by 25% and reduced overall weight by 30% while improving overall strength.
tiple avenues for the clamp’s redesign, including a possible invest- ment cast option that increased the cost signifi cantly. In the end, a col- laborative eff ort between the supplier and engineers with Victaulic, Easton, Pa., led to a breakthrough three-com-
bly consists of the three cast components held together by a spring pin that keeps the unit fully assembled without having to worry about detachment or reassembly,” said Didier Vassal, vice president, Victaulic. “T e unit is very durable due to the austempered properties and it is also aesthetically pleasing after being fi nished in a clear dichro- mate coating for appearance and corrosion benefi ts.”
ponent clamp that cut costs 25% and decreased total weight from 5 lbs. to 3.5 lbs., while still producing the part using green sand. Victaulic, specializing in pipe joining systems and custom castings, improved the overall strength
Victaulic continues to produce a sig-
nifi cant quantity of the 6.5-in. x 5-in. x 1.5-in. castings since fi nal approval in mid-2012.
For more information, go to
www.victauliccastings.com.
Sym-Ply T20 Clamps are used to assemble gang wall forming systems. Sept/Oct 2013 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 49
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