Posts by User01

Pie charts and statistics for recent global casting and metal production. This post has now been updated with more recent data from the 2011 census of world casting production. Please see the charts based on the new statistics below:   Global Metal Production 2011 This chart shows the world totals for metal production in 2011.…

This article looks at the properties of steel and iron and the advantages of using each as a casting material. A battle between the super metals – which casting material to choose Like the superheroes themselves, steel and iron both have their good and bad points and it is difficult to conclude that one is…

The second part in the series explaining the prominent methods of plastic manufacture. The process of plastic injection moulding is very similar to plastic extraction except the parts produced are not long, continuous pieces but more compact items like toys. With injection moulding, the thermoplastic is literally ‘injected’ into a mould at high pressure.  The…

An explanation of two prominent plastic manufacturing methods. There are two main methods of manufacture when creating plastic parts – plastic extrusion and plastic injection moulding.  Part 1 in this series of articles explaining the production of plastic parts will concentrate on the plastic extrusion method. Plastic extrusion is a technique used to produce plastic…

This article discusses how to transform an idea into a finished product. Many of the items cast, forged or moulded are the product of an extensive process of procuring an idea, planning and ultimately producing the final result.  For many, seeing the consequence of their efforts coming off of the production line is a milestone…

This article outlines the ancient and modern practices of creating fine art using metal casting processes. Different methods of metal casting have been utilised for centuries in order to create artworks.  Ancient artefacts and sculptures have been discovered that were lovingly created using metal casting methods that are still used today. Lost wax casting is…

An article that gives a brief overview of the differences between metal forging and metal casting processes. The main difference between these two manufacturing methods is that metal forgings are hammered or pressed into a shape by force.  Metal castings on the other hand are produced via a molten metal being poured into a mould…