Blog

In the Cockpit: Aluminum Castings in Avionics and Interior Components

December 1st, 2024

To reduce weight and improve efficiency, the latest generation of passenger airliners, like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, are using more composite materials than aluminum. Aluminum is easier to work with though, and significantly cheaper, so it will remain

The Electric Drive: Investment Casting for Components in Electric Vehicles

December 1st, 2024

A hot topic in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing is “gigacasting”. This is where large stamped metal structural components are replaced with giant castings. The rationale is that this reduces weight and cost, two very important considerations for electric vehicles. What

Quality on Every Drive: The Importance of Quality Control in Automotive Investment Casting

November 1st, 2024

Fuel injection systems use high pressures to deliver precisely calibrated quantities of gasoline or diesel. A defect in any injection system component could result in fuel spraying over a hot engine, with catastrophic consequences. To avoid this kind of scenario,

Casting Innovation: The Crucial Role of Investment Casting in Aerospace Manufacturing

September 4th, 2024

Parts destined for aerospace applications must have good tensile and fatigue strength, yet be lightweight and corrosion resistant. These requirements drive part design and material choices, which go hand-in-hand with manufacturing process selection. For many aerospace parts, investment casting provides

Challenges and Solutions in Scaling Up Investment Casting Production

September 4th, 2024

Most products follow the same lifecycle: production begins with small quantities, ramping-up as demand grows, and finally settling into a gradual decline. Each stage needs careful management if quality, cost and delivery targets are to be met consistently. For parts

Quality Control in Investment Casting: Ensuring Flawless Components

August 15th, 2024

Everyone wants to know the castings they receive from their foundry suppliers are correct, but quality is doubly important when the parts are going into high load, safety-critical applications. A particular challenge with castings is that defects can be hidden

Importance of Gas Turbine Nozzle Assembly Optimization

August 8th, 2024

Businesses powering industrial gas turbines with natural gas would love to run them at the stoichmetric ratio because that yields the most efficient combustion. Unfortunately, it also yields exhaust gas temperatures over 3,500°F (1,940°C). That’s a problem because components downstream

The Role of Simulation in Perfecting Investment Casting

July 25th, 2024

There’s no place for trial-and-error in the modern investment casting foundry. Industry leaders like Impro use simulation to optimize every aspect of the process, avoiding defects, reducing development lead time, and raising efficiency. Here’s a closer look. The Complexity of

Green Practices in Investment Casting: Sustainable Approaches to Metalworking

June 20th, 2024

Investment casting is inherently an energy-intensive manufacturing process. That creates a challenge for a company focused on sustainability like Impro, but it’s not impossible to overcome. Here’s a look at what is and can be done. Sustainability Challenges in Investment

Innovation in Investment Casting: Cutting-Edge Techniques and Technologies

June 14th, 2024

Customers for investment castings appreciate the precision and detail the process provides, but keep asking for more. In response, foundries are implementing new techniques and technologies that cut lead time and costs while improving quality and expanding capabilities. Here’s a

From Design to Reality: The Journey of a Cast Metal Part

June 3rd, 2024

Manufacturing should always be considered during product design. Preferably, it should be discussed with the team or supplier who will make the part. Skipping or rushing this part of the development process leads to parts that cost more than they

Advances in Gas Turbine Nozzle Assembly Technology

May 21st, 2024

Higher temperatures and pressures increase gas turbine efficiency and reduce emissions, but at a cost. Components downstream of the combustors suffer more fatigue and wear, resulting in shorter lifetimes and more repair work. Gas turbine component manufacturers are responding with