Traditional metal casting is an art. The earliest example of metal casting is thought to date back to 3200B.C. based on a casting of a copper frog from Mesopotamia. Other evidence has been uncovered in the Middle East, such as moulds, hinting that the tradition began in that region. However others believe the development of the processes should be attributed to China and India.
Once iron was discovered in 2000B.C. it was roughly another 1300 years before casting really took off and became the main method of making tools. Iron was used in China in the casting of tools and machinery as early as 800B.C. and in 233B.C. they were casting ploughshares, showing the role of metal casting in agriculture was quite important by that time.
Casting of non-ferrous metals was also increasing as the techniques developed. As mentioned the first example of metal casting was a copper frog. The benefits of using non-ferrous bases can include its lighter weight, it is non magnetic, some have high rates of conductivity and others are resistant to corrosion. Non ferrous alloys can offer a strong and long lasting alternative to iron.
Montrose Foundry specialise in non-ferrous casting, use traditional sand moulds in their engineering workshop. Sand moulds seem to have been used since the craft’s infancy and today accounts for 70% of metal casting production processes. Others materials for moulds such as wax and plaster were experimented with in different parts of the world but sand have proved to produce the best results.
Montrose Foundry has been providing expert metal casting to the New Zealand market since 1954. Today there are 7 highly skilled smiths in the engineering workshop, producing parts for the railways, electrical industry and independent businesses across New Zealand. The team offer consultation from the concept and design stage, ensuring high quality end product when it leaves our engineering workshop.
To find out more about our services visit us online at: www.montrosefoundry.co.nz
For the best value and best Metal Casting, visit montrosefoundry.co.nz. Our engineering workshop service is the best around and offers product development services. Visit our website for more details.