Understanding Casting Manufacturing Processes

Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid material (such as metal or plastic) is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify into a desired shape. The resulting object is called a casting. Castings can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, iron, steel, and copper. They are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and construction.

There are several types of castings, including:

1. Sand casting: This is the most common type of casting, in which sand is used as the mold material.
2. Die casting: In this process, molten metal is forced into a mold under high pressure.
3. Investment casting: This process uses a wax pattern to create a mold, which is then filled with molten metal.
4. Lost-wax casting: Similar to investment casting, but the wax pattern is melted out of the mold before the metal is poured in.
5. Centrifugal casting: In this process, molten metal is spun into shape using a centrifuge.
6. Continuous casting: This process involves pouring molten metal into a continuous mold, creating a long, thin casting.
7. Lost-foam casting: In this process, a foam pattern is used to create a mold, which is then filled with molten metal. The foam is then dissolved, leaving behind the casting.