Substitution of welded components

The function of a welded steel construction comprised of a number of individual parts can often be met by a single cast iron component, which – on request – can also be supplied finish-machined. This can often result in significant cost savings. In addition, the shaping freedom offered by casting allows the production of complex geometries, such that it is often possible to integrate several functions in a single component and to achieve the optimum component design for the specific loads involved in each case. This results in advantages not only in economic terms but in technical terms as well. However, designing cast parts which are actually capable of being produced in the production process requires that certain details are taken into account at the outset, such as the molding process and the feeding system, conformity with the casting and the machining concept, etc. Therefore, on request, CLASS GUSS can also prepare design proposals for cast components based on existing welded constructions. > NEWCAST AWARD 2007