Traceability for castings

[Dtuck]

I was asked by a company what could be done for traceability(date of manufacture, lot number, etc.) in investment castings similar to date code wheels in plastic tooling. What is usually done and what would help in this area?

 

[KENAT]

It is fairly common to cast in the date or similar identifier with some processes. Alternatively rubber stamping with date/lot or whatever gets done too.

KENAT,

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[arunmrao]

It is possible to provide heat number and manufacturer's monogram/identification code on the casting. The heat number can then be used to trace back the steps of manufacturing. A fairly standard practice adopted by all foundries. on the


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[Dtuck]

Thanks for the information. Is is done with reusable inserts? It is easy in the plastics industry. Unfortunatley, that's where my experience lies.

 

[btrueblood]

Yes, reusable inserts in the molds used for the wax patterns.

 

[arunmrao]

yes ,like btrueblood indicated,you can have it done on the wax pattern.



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[Dtuck]

Do these people make their own or are they available commercially? That would be quite useful. Thanks in advance.

 

[arunmrao]

Are you referring to the wax patterns or the die molds used for making wax patterns? This is an in house activity.


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[Dtuck]

Are they adjustable like plastic mold inserts? For wax molds, understanding it correctly, they would be in the patterns. For actual die casting for solid molds, they would go in the mold.

 

[abassett]

Part-numbers are typically in the tooling. An old-fashion label-maker can be used to put serial numbers on the wax-pattern. The plastic will be burned out in the pre-heat oven. Since the foundry might not know the heat number when the mold is made, the heat number is usually stamped. All this works for in-house traceability, but you may want to grind off the numbers and replace them with something more unambiguously legible (ink stamping, etching, engraving, vibropeening, etc.), before the castings ship.