and build a tool that will give that metalcaster the biggest processing window possible. Murray, Hoosier Pattern: Open mindedness is hard to gauge, but you need that to do new things in new and better ways. Te mindset of “always doing something a certain way because you have always done it that way” is a death sentence. Also, it is not about being across town that is important. It is about being on top of the technology, methods and materials to get the job done in the most timely and cost-effective manner.
Have you noticed a specific trend in
what metalcasters are demanding from you?
Murray, Hoosier Pattern: My cus-
tomers are asking for solidification on demand, reverse engineering capabili- ties and laser scanning in the shop and at their facility. Oh, did I forget [they want it] faster? Always faster. McIntyre, Anderson Global: Tool-
makers need to have processes in place to compress the project into a shorter time period by streamlining design and build. Tis can be done a lot of ways, like through improved organization and bet- ter machinery. Lamoncha, Humtown Products:
Everything is trending toward CAD. Someone from a large OEM asked me: Is it the drawing or the CAD model that we’re working toward? For the most part, I don’t even get draw- ings anymore. When my grandfather made patterns off a drawing, he had to have that interaction with the foundry. Now, it’s a little bit different. If they see an area that has to be chilled or might shrink, they’re going to deal with that immediately.
How can a casting buyer determine
a good pattern from a bad one? What are key things to look for to ensure quality?
McIntyre, Anderson Global: Depending on the personality of the
casting buyer, he can insist on dimen- sional certification and proof that proper materials and heat treatment were used. Lamoncha, Humtown Prod-
ucts: We’ve gotten away from simple measurements and verniers. We just do a scan of our pattern with a laser. We do a comparison and send that along with the pattern. Te proof ’s in the pudding. Everybody knows the pattern is not going to be absolutely perfect. But if you show you’re within the tolerances, they know if there’s any variation in a casting, it most likely is an in-house problem.
What missed opportunities/miscon- ceptions do you see from customers?
McIntyre, Anderson Global: Not asking to participate. Many times, metalcasters will want a tool—and they won’t explain whether the castings will be low volume or high volume or they won’t detail its key characteristics. If that information isn’t
Traditional pattern materials, such as metal and wood, remain relatively unchanged. 26 | MODERN CASTING July 2015
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