If your company has products that require castings sometimes you find yourself ready to make a switch to a new foundry. Depending on the situation – it could be a relationship issue, quality, delivery, or just being told they do not want to do your work anymore. Regardless of the reason, or the situation, sometimes you must change foundries. So, you find yourself with two choices. One, do I build new tooling, or two, can I move my existing tooling to the new foundry. Well, either or works, but what is the right choice. The easiest is to move existing tooling, especially if it is in good shape. If it is not, now is a good time to be thinking about new tooling.
Ok, for all the new casting buyers one great policy to implement for your company – Have a very detailed tooling description of any product you have produced by a foundry. If you ever must make the move to a new source this information will greatly help with the transition. Especially, if you are in an emergency. Your tooling notes should include corebox and pattern material, size, location of tool, what process it was built for i.e., sand casting, investment casting, shell molding, etc. Photos would be great. Get those at the beginning – this can help the potential new foundry with parting line locations, gaiting and potential other issues that they can recognize. Or maybe you just need to update your files for insurance purposes. Any information and as much as you can put down for reference will be always helpful.
With a detailed tooling description, the new foundry source can have a good idea if the tool can be adapted on their equipment. If tooling can be moved most likely a rigging charge would be necessary to make the tooling compatible. Details like gaits, risers, location of sprue, weight, part configuration, and other loose pieces needed on the mold guarantee that some slight modification might be needed to pour a good metal casting.
There are also other factors that go in to transferring a tool to a new supplier, but just remember that your chance for success is high and you can usually do this without too many problems if your plan well. At The Casting Company we think you have more than one good option even if it means changing the casting process. We will do what it takes to make that happen and give you the solution that you need.
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