P&H Mining equipment makes a lot of fabrications at its Milwaukee manufacturing plant. But because of conversions to metalcasting, the number is decreasing.
The 2009 Casting of the Year embodies nearly every advantage the casting process has over other manufacturing processes. It is a consolidation of more than 20 parts into a single component. It reduces weight and tooling costs. And it incorporates the complex shapes and thin and thick sections needed to meet the application’s function, all while making the part look clean and simple. It’s no wonder the achievement won the enthusiasm of the customer. “With the casting process, I didn’t feel like there was any restriction on what we could do,” said Greg Brew, Polaris Core concept motorcycle developer.
The other eight prize winners in the 2009 Casting Competition boast similar success stories for customers in the aerospace, dental, agriculture, wind power, mining and military industries.
The 2008 Casting of the Year was presented to Carley Foundry Inc., Blaine, Minn., for its oil tank casting produced for Harley Davidson. Eight other castings were given Best-In-Class or Honorable Mention awards.
