This rapid prototype, produced in just 17 days, is an example of patternmakers and metalcasters working together to streamline the supply chain.
communicated, the customer will get a generic tool that wasn’t specifically made to help them reach the goals of the casting. Murray, Hoosier Pattern: Mixing
and matching materials and manufac- turing methods to get the best fit for the specific need is OK. Pattern shops are here to help with questions on new technologies, methods and materials. Ask why we still do things such-and- such way. Explore your options. Lamoncha, Humtown Products:
When people think of a pattern- maker, they imagine someone gluing wood segments together or using a lathe. Tese are great tools that obviously still have their place, but we have so much more to offer. Our advanced methods are just additional tools in the toolbox. We are much more dynamic than that. We want to utilize all the technologies avail- able. We want to have a CNC tooling shop and an advanced manufacturing shop in addition to our traditional pattern shop.
What should be the major consider-
ations when choosing between offshore and domestic pattern suppliers?
Murray, Hoosier Pattern: The
same things you use to choose between domestic suppliers. We compete in a world marketplace today. You must be on your game to be competitive and have the services your customers require. McIntyre, Anderson Global:
Materials. For overseas pattern shops, labor is inexpensive, so they focus on saving in terms of materi- als, which can lead to cutting cor- ners. Also, being in the same time zone where you are speaking the same language can reduce complica- tions in communication. Lamoncha, Humtown Products:
Te biggest consideration is time. I don’t think anyone can deal with the time lag [with overseas suppliers]. If there’s a revision or a change, it takes way too long to go back and forth.
How have advancements in additive manufacturing affected your business?
Murray, Hoosier Pattern: It is not just another tool in the toolbox. It is another drawer in your toolbox. We want to show customers where and when to apply the technology and guide the customer through that maze of technological hype versus reality. Yes, we can print a pattern or
corebox for low volume production, but you have to do a cost-benefit reality check. It has to make sense dollar and cents-wise. Lamoncha, Humtown Products:
We want our customers to understand that advanced manufacturing isn’t only additive, but it’s a fundamental tool. It’s the ruler, the tape measure—some- thing you’ll be using very frequently. But some people get enamored with one technology and won’t look else- where. By keeping an open mind, you will be able to get better castings at a much lower cost.
What’s one surprising way for
metalcasters to utilize pattern shops to streamline the supply chain?
McIntyre, Anderson Global: Have the toolmaker visit your foundry, your coreroom, your molding line. Have them talk to in-house maintenance people to find out what problems they’ve had in the past, what problems they’ve had in the foundry, so the tool- ing shop can use that knowledge to produce a better tool. Murray, Hoosier Pattern: Estab- lish standard prices so you know what you are getting into before you do something. Tings like re-rigging,
July 2015 MODERN CASTING | 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68