Maritime Steel Casting Production

The maritime and shipbuilding industries are vast users of steel castings, from small to large, simple to complex.  Almost all floating vessels utilize some application of a steel casting, including most US Navy & Coast Guard ships.  Structural hull pieces, such as stem bars, stern tubes, and rudder bearings, to machinery elements inducing clutches, capstans, wildcats, or basic functional components like mooring bits, bow chocks, or anchors are all steel castings.  They are greatly different in application, function, material, along with a wide range of testing and inspection requirements.

Required Expertise

Casting design can be very simple to very complex, hence, the greatest benefit for a casting application.  It takes the knowledge and expertise of a high-quality foundry to achieve complete success.  The castings used in the maritime industry serve a function to lift, move, steer, guide, and even protect the sailors and crews that work around them every day.  Producing these castings is not just molding, pouring, and shipping another component by the thousands.  They are typically custom-made, one-off casting designs that are produced infrequently.  Knowing the use, function, requirements, and needs of every casting and it’s customer is critical for the foundry to ensure complete satisfaction.

Operations for Producing Marine Castings

Steel casting production requires a variety of processes.  It starts with engineering & pattern making, followed by molding and pouring.  After cleaning and heat treatment, any nondestructive testing is completed and the casting can be sent for further processing, whether that be machining, welding, or assembly.  One key to success for customers is working with a foundry that is vertically integrated, incorporating as many, if not all, of these processes, monitoring quality and delivery throughout the entire scope of work.

Conclusion

Sourcing castings with a wide variety of applications, material types, nondestructive testing, and certification requirements can be a daunting task.  Having fundamental knowledge of the entire casting process is a must.  Working with an experienced foundry who can comprehend the needs and requirements of a customer will ultimately end with satisfied customers, high quality castings, delivered on time.

Author: Lisa Wertzbaugher, Sivyer Steel - Director of Sales | https://www.sivyersteel.com/