How Lawton Ensures the Highest Quality Castings
Lawton takes pride in the true craftsmanship that their Pattern Shop holds. Quality tooling is the essential starting point to obtaining a quality casting. The patterns produced by the Lawton pattern shop follow strict manufacturing guidelines to ensure the highest quality castings will result from their use.
Often times, Lawton customers will request we use their existing patterns. These patterns may have been manufactured by other shops and may have seen quite a bit of use. Lawton requires an inspection be performed by our pattern shop to both ensure quality of the resulting casting as well as aid the customer in pattern life planning and replacement.
When Lawton knows tooling is being transferred to us from another foundry, we ask for pictures first. This gives our Pattern Shop the opportunity to review for any obvious problems or concerns before receiving the tool. We also use the pictures and descriptions to identify the process design of a tool. For example, green sand tooling is not compatible with our no-bake system. Each foundry handles tooling in a different way and it is vital that the tool will reflect the way the foundry needs the tool. Pictures can help us determine if we can accept the tool or if we need to decline the tool.
Once received, the tooling is inspected. First, we must ensure the tool is made from a material that is compatible with the Lawton foundry. Examples of acceptable materials are: pine, mahogany, red board, and urethane. Then we perform a tooling layout to check dimensions of casting drawings. Features are identified and needed drafts are reviewed. We look for missing parts and any cracks or pieces that need to be repaired. If any alteration is required so the tool fits our process in the foundry, it is identified as part of this inspection.
Finally, we prepare a quotation for the customer to advise the cost of repair for the tooling. In conjunction, a price is prepared for new tooling to replace the transfer tool. This will aid the customer in determining of there is value in repairing the exiting tool.
If you have tooling that is to be transferred either from your storage or from another foundry, the following useful tips may help you in determining if that tooling is reusable:
How was the tooling stored? If it was exposed to elements or even unattended for a significant time, the tooling may be suspect.
Are there visible signs of damage, cracking, or weathering?
Are all of the pieces of the pattern and coreboxes present? Identifying and building replacement parts can often add to the problems of reuse.
If you have any questions about your transfer tooling, contact us at Remarkable@calawton.com for further information.