Foundry Castings

[Delwin D Fandrich]

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Thanks, Owen, I have the magazine and am familiar with the quote. Still, =
this is based on tradition and handed-down 'technology' rather than test =
and examination. I've checked with various foundries and iron foundry =
associations and have been unable to obtain any evidence of testing or =
research that has gone into this question. Now, it may well exist but =
I've not yet found it.

Del


  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Owen J. Greyling RPT=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: August 26, 2002 10:59 AM
  Subject: Foundry Castings


   "Fine Woodworking" Techniques 5, which I purchased in 1983, has an =
article written by John Lively dealing with the advantages of larger =
vintage woodworking machines made of cast grey iron.=20

  qoute....  "Powermatic is licensed, he said, to use the Meehanite =
process, a patented technology for making a high grade, close grained =
grey iron that is superior for use in machinery castings. The process =
ensures that the molecular constitution of the cast iron is consistent =
from day to day and from year to year, a condition that makes milling =
and grinding more efficient and that contributes to product uniformity.  =
We can control the aging time for our castings. He explained that the =
traditional method of letting cast parts sit for months uncovered in the =
open air is still the best means of relieving internal stresses created =
by the casting process. Aging gives these stresses time to resolve =
themselves before the part is milled and ground" ISBN 0-918804-17-5

  Del, if you are interested I can scan the article, and fax to you.=20

  Perhaps this is an entirely different process then is used to make =
plates for pianos, but I somehow doubt it. I recall seeing an article =
years ago about a foundry, I think in Europe where piano plates were =
only one of the many products that were produced from the same raw =
materials. I know Powermatic has a plant in McMinnville, Tenn. Perhaps =
they have an R&D department.=20

  Owen

  > ....Foundry castings need time to "cure" for strength....

  Do you have any technical reference for this? I've been trying to =
track down
  solid information on the subject for some time--but to no avail. It's =
long
  been assumed and talked about--at least within the piano industry--but =
I'm
  after specific details. What 'strength' parameters change over time?
  Stiffness? Impact strength? Compression strength? What?

  Del


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