Foundry Castings

[Robin Hufford]

What is the Currier Strataphonic String Panel?  The name alone seems
sufficiently impressive that it should have been continued in production.
Regards, Robin Hufford

Delwin D Fandrich wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: August 27, 2002 8:06 PM
> Subject: Re: Foundry Castings
>
> > Sure, go on...but I don't see anything in your list that has a compelling
> property superior to cast iron...do you?
>
> Yes. Steel for one--given proper tooling. As early as the 1970s steel was
> becoming a viable competitor both in terms of performance and in cost. It
> would require relatively high production and a fairly sophisticated factory
> but it could be done. The advantages would be potentially lower cost (in
> quantity), greater strength, lower weight and (probably) better acoustical
> performance.
>
> There are several iron alloys other than gray iron that have much to
> offer--higher strength at lower weight among them. The Currier Strataphonic
> String Panel was a brilliant idea miserably executed. There are a variety of
> composites could be made to work quite well though their cost is still
> somewhat high. I don't know enough about ceramics yet to be able to predict
> their viability, but if you can build an engine block out of the stuff....
>
> Del