Freetrading Articles

An important part of the development of industrial nations is having a strong casting industry. Advancements in food production, wartime materials, construction, and automotives can be directly tied to casting. The work they do extends far beyond the walls of the foundry and casters are often considered respected members of society.

An important part of the development of industrial nations is having a strong casting industry. Advancements in food production, wartime materials, construction, and automotives can be directly tied to casting. The work they do extends far beyond the walls of the foundry and casters are often considered respected members of society.

Casting has a long and storied history. Investment casting - or lost wax casting - was made out of bees wax in the early going. The wax was shaped using clay and metal was melted with fire. As early as 3000 BC, items like jewelry and art were commonly made in the early days and are still made today.

Casting processes were used for cannons and bells in medieval times - depending on whether or not it was wartime or peacetime. Churches created their own bells using casting processes during the Middle Ages and the church leaders were trained foreman. After the bell was created, it was often named after a saint and blessed while the metal was melted.

Vannoccio Biringuccio is commonly referred to as the "Father of Foundry." A foundry worker in the 16th century, Biringuccio developed using dregs of alcohol and urine for molding sand - today, wax is more commonly used. However, this process ended up being used well into the 1900s. Following World War II, however, process and material refinement eliminated the need for these processes.

Since World War II, casting processes have seen major improvements at a faster rate than ever before. New processes and improvements in science and technology have allowed foundries to develop at fantastic rates. Metal casting and its processes of investment casting and lost wax casting remain essential today with the need for OEM car parts and niche industry tool manufacturing.

The casting industry and foundry work continue to play a pivotal role in the industrialization of multiple countries. Casting plays a pivotal role in the development of raw materials to benefit both art and science. Products created from casting processes add value to society and directly benefit quality of life.

You'd be amazed how much of your life is dependent on casting processes. Casting is also a green process. Foundries put 15 million tons of metal each year back into use through reuse and recycling.

For thousands of years, the casting process has provided unique skills, jobs, and quality metal workings to people all over the world. Our world would not be as developed as it is without casting processes, and it will not continue to evolve the way it has without increased development in this industry. Investment cast wax, ceramic, and alloys combined with improved equipment to produce castings on a high or low volume basis ensure that the process will be deployed well into the future.