Cost Savings Ideas for Stainless Casting for Marine Application

SMPI had run a stainless steel production casting part several times. The multiple setups needed to create this tight-tolerance part made it very cumbersome. Because of the part’s shape, it was challenging to clamp during the 4 setups we were currently doing.

Working with our customer, we marked up a drawing with cost savings ideas that allowed us to machine this part, using a 4th axis setup, in only 2 setups, and ultimately allowed us to pass some cost savings along. We added strategic clamping tabs for locating, which were then machined off after the parts were finished. This required a small tweak in the casting process that more than paid for itself in machining cost savings.

This was another example of how SMPI worked together with our customer’s engineering team to remove costs from a project.

To learn more about this project, including tolerances and inspection processes, please contact us today or see the table below for more information.

Project Details

· Product Description: SS Pump Housing
· Capabilities Applied/Processes:
   Primary: 4-axis CNC machining
· Equipment Used to Manufacture Part: Hurco CNC Mill with 4th axis
· Overall Part Dimensions: 3.00 x 4.25 x 12.75”
· Tightest Tolerances: .0005”
· Material Used: Cast Stainless Steel
· Max Material Finish: 125 Ra”
· In process testing/inspection performed: FAIR, PPAP, In-process of critical dimensions, CMM inspection
· Estimated Part Weight: 7lb
· Industry for Use: Marine
· Volume: 100 per year
· Delivery Location: Midwest, USA
· Standards Met: 
   Customer supplied print, 2D CAD Drawing,
   MIL specifications
   ASME Y14.5M-1994
   MIL-C-5541
· Product Name: Pump Housing