Released on March 17, 2008

Aluminum caster U.S. Castings LLC, Entiat, Wash., recently added two molding lines it expects will increase its molding capacity by 30%, in addition to expanding its machining capabilities.

Two multi-cavity permanent mold machines will augment the company’s existing line of tilt-pour machines. U.S. Castings also installed a 22-in., four-axis machining center, with automatic tool changing and multi-station loading capabilities, multiplying its existing machining capabilities. The company has an automated vertical machining center on order.

The company’s parent company, Advanced Metals Group LLC, concurrently announced a molding capacity increase at its sand casting plant Mabry Castings, Beaumont, Texas. A spokesperson for Advanced Metals said that both moves were in line the group’s “commitment to follow through with various lean manufacturing initiatives, which should increase quality, reduce lead times and eliminate inventory overstocking for our customers.”

The additions at U.S. Castings, combined with recent upgrades and automation to the plant’s lost foam molding capabilities and an overhaul of its green sand equipment, is expected to reduce delivery lead times by as much as 40% for pattern transfer tooling.  Other value added services, which include heat-treating, coating and in-house non-destructive testing, also are being upgraded, according to an Advanced Metals press release.

The company said in the release that U.S. Castings will continue to provide green sand, lost foam, permanent mold and nobake castings to the aerospace, military and marine industries.