The latest resource from the Eagle Group is an updated and expanded edition of our Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing Raw and Machined Cast Products, one of our most popular free downloads.
Buying cast parts involves a long list of decisions before any metal is poured. Which alloy will hold up in the field? Which casting process fits your tolerances and production volume? How do you tell whether a foundry can deliver what it promises?
This free 28-page guide helps you answer those questions and choose the material, casting process and foundry that best fit your goals while minimizing costs.
What the Guide Covers
The guide starts with best practices for purchasing raw and machined cast products, including how to define a part’s function, tolerances and intended use. It explains the key factors to consider when choosing a material and how material selection affects performance, durability and cost.
There is an expanded section on the most widely used casting processes with an explanation of the strengths and limits of each. Material and process comparison charts put the technical specs of each casting process side by side, including dimensional tolerances, cost at high and low volume, thinnest castable sections, surface finish and alloy limitations.
The guide also explains why casting and CNC machining should be evaluated together. It closes with practical guidance and tips on evaluating suppliers, from experience, service and quality to safety and how to compare quotes fairly.
What’s New in This Edition
The updated Buyer’s Guide to Cast Products adds new sections on product design considerations, including Design for Manufacturability (DFM), casting simulation and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), as well as brand new sections on heat treatment considerations and quality control. It also covers more material properties, adds 3D-printed mold casting to the casting process overview, and expands the section on integrating casting and machining for greater efficiency. Also new for this edition, at the end of the guide is a printable Casting Supplier Checklist, a handy tip sheet to keep at your desk and pull out whenever you need to evaluate a new foundry or compare quotes.
Who the Guide Is For
The Buyer’s Guide is written for purchasing managers, buyers, sourcing professionals, engineers and product designers who specify or buy cast and machined parts. It’s useful whether you’re bringing a new product to market or looking for ways to cut costs on parts already in production.
If you’re new to castings, the guide gives you a clear foundation for making smart, cost-effective decisions. If you’re an experienced buyer, it’s a handy reference for comparing processes and materials, and the checklist makes it easy to vet new foundries or re-evaluate current ones.
Get Your Free Copy
The updated Buyer’s Guide to Cast Products is available as a free download. Please click below and fill out a brief form to get your copy:
