Zinc Aluminum Castings Made from Graphite Molds
Isotech, Inc. Partners with Graphicast to Offer Zinc Aluminum Alloy OE Parts Manufacturing and Prototyping
Hatfield, PA – Isotech Inc., a manufacturers’ representative and distributor of OEM products, announced today the company, through a partnership with Graphicast, Inc., of Jaffrey, NH will be offering a graphite mold casting manufacturing processes to meet aluminum component production and prototyping demands of the industrial, commercial, and analytical and medical laboratory markets.
“Our partnership with Graphicast is a great fit and allows us to bring dynamic manufacturing capabilities to our customers,” said Joe Casillo, President at Isotech. “Graphicast’s graphite mold and casting of zinc-aluminum alloy components is a unique process that saves time, money and adds significant value in the manufacturing process.”
Zinc Aluminum Castings
The Graphicast casting process uses graphite molds to produce parts from ZA-12, a zinc-aluminum alloy which physical properties are stronger, harder, and more durable than aluminum, brass, bronze, or plastic. The use of graphite for the casting molds is less expensive than die casting or injection molding due to the lower cost of graphite. In addition, graphite offers exceptional machinability which shortens the mold-making process and overall production timelines.
“The graphite molds can often be produced weeks ahead of a die-casting mold and at an average savings that is one-fifth of the cost,” said Casillo. “And, because a graphite mold will not warp or corrode, it can be stored indefinitely and reused for future production runs.”
Equally as important to the graphite casting process is the use of ZA-12 aluminum. Resulting castings of this material have a density approximately the same as cast iron and can include contours, variations in surface elevations, holes, and other precise features. Typical surface finishes of 63 micro-inches or less are better than finishes from other casting processes.
“The graphite casting process is a good fit for OEMs needing to produce quantities of 200 to 20,000,” said Casillo. “The reduced costs allow for rapid prototyping, short-run production, and product testing.”
Graphite casting manufacturing processes are used in many applications in industries including communications, computer and office systems, electronic device, industrial machinery, instruments and controls, scientific equipment, defense and aerospace, and medical device.
Isotech’s graphite casting, manufacturing, and prototyping services are available by contacting an Isotech product representative with your application needs. The Isotech staff is experienced in developing solutions for complex industrial applications and can provide design assistance. Call Isotech at 800-314-3332 or visit www.isotechinc.com for more information or to speak with a product specialist for assistance.