Preferred for High Volume Jobs
Sand casting enables manufacturers to create very large metal parts from steel, aluminum, cast iron, brass and other metals at a relatively low cost. Sand casting is the most common and one of the most affordable casting methods used in the metal casting industry and it is considered the best type of casting for high volume jobs. Sand casting works by creating a mold for a part from wet or dry sand and then pouring melted metal into the cavity created in the sand. The mold can be used to produce countless parts without any decrease in quality. Unfortunately, sand casting cannot be used to produce very small parts without risking a loss of detail. Smaller parts require
more sophisticated techniques, such as die casting.
Product Creation
Sand casting is performed by packing a sand mixture around a wooden or metal pattern to form a mold. The pattern used is shaped exactly like the final product, and the sand mixture is typically made of synthetic sand, clay, and water. If the mold requires any internal features, such as passages or holes, a core is inserted into the mold to create these cavities during the sand casting process. Metal is melted into liquid form and then poured into the mold. Once the molten metal cools and solidifies, the casting is separated from the mold. The product is removed and the process is repeated to create additional items.
Greener Manufacturing
An obvious benefit of sand casting is the ability to reuse a mold as many times as needed in order to produce multiple copies of the same item at a low cost. The sand involved in sand casting can also be reused, which greatly reduces cost and manufacturing waste. The recycled sand not only results in significant savings for both the manufacturer and consumer, it also reduces the impact of the process on the environment.
