What is the process of gravity casting?

The gravity casting process often involves the following steps:

• Understand the customer’s needs. The procedure should start with understanding the customer’s needs, such as the application of the cast, the choice of alloys, size, shape, wall thickness, technical properties (e.g., tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation), structure, and weight.
• Design of the cast and ‘pattern’ making. This is important for industrial parts, which need precise calculation to make sure that pieces could fit and work together. Currently, the pattern making is assisted by computer simulation so that high precision can be achieved. Then the pattern is moulded into a three-dimensional shape so that the accuracy of the core could be measured before the final casting. Wood, clay or plastic is often used here. Due to the development of technology, now this can be done through 3D-printing.
• Creation of a mould. Based on the confirmed pattern, a mould is created. In the case of gravity casting, reusable metal moulds are created for the desired pattern.
• Melting and pouring of metal or alloys. Metal is melted and then the molten metal is poured into the mould under gravity. Traditionally, this is done by hand. Thanks to modern technology, this pouring process is automatised and the productivity is tremendously improved.
• Solidification: Once the mould is filled, the molten metal begins to cool and solidify within the mould cavity, assuming the desired shape of the final part.
• Part Removal: After the metal has solidified and cooled sufficiently, the mold is opened, and the cast part is removed. The permanent nature of the mould allows for multiple castings before any significant mould degradation occurs.
• Fettling. The cast object is removed from the mould and then fettled. During this process, any moulding materials on the model are removed and rough edges and surfaces are smoothed. The cast object might need to be further processed.

Ming Ming’s casting process goes through a carefully monitored casting process. The process ensures the casting results meet customer quality and specification requirements.