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What is a Foundry?

 by General Kinematics,

A foundry is an industrial facility that specializes in the production of metal components. These parts include objects both small and large– servicing industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to jewelry or defense. 

Foundries serve as a vital hub where raw materials, such as iron, steel, aluminum, or other alloys, are transformed into finished products. Foundries hold a range of machinery, including furnaces, molds, and casting equipment, to facilitate the various stages of metal casting. These facilities range in size and efficiency, with the latter largely dependent on operations management and equipment used. 

The Casting Process

Foundry uses a casting process to produce metal shapes that are used in products, manufacturing, and machinery. The casting process involved in foundry is a process that is centuries old.The process starts with hot metal poured into a mold, the metal is then cooled to solidify. The resulting metal shape is then trimmed and polished, ready to be used. Castings are not the only operation that foundries provide. 

Foundries also provide things like tool building, assembly, and prototyping. GK’s foundry systems are committed to optimizing your metal casting processes. General Kinematics is a premier manufacturer producing innovative equipment ideas and problem-solving application techniques for more than six decades. 

The Foundry Industry

Foundry services refer to the testing and manufacturing of products and services. Today, foundry services contribute to many industries such as agriculture, automotive, mining, and construction. The foundry industry has undergone quite a few developments over time and recent goals for improvement have been focused on automation, scaling, and on-site finishing. Within the foundry market the demand for finished and ready to use parts has risen significantly and GK has worked to help meet those demands. Offering cutting-edge foundry equipment that is low maintenance, safer, and backed by GK’s two-year warranty. 

GK’s Foundry Service Solutions

At General Kinematics we have the largest selection of vibratory and rotary foundry equipment in the industry. Utilized by some of the world’s best foundries our foundry service equipment is manufactured and engineered to improve performance and productivity. 

Foundry Service Equipment

Each of piece of  foundry equipment provided by General Kinematics serves a specific purpose in enhancing the efficiency, quality, and productivity of various processes within foundries. These equipment offerings highlight General Kinematics’ commitment to providing innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of the foundry industry, and most importantly, your facility. 

Syncro Coil

SYNCRO-COIL®

SYNCRO-COIL® is a vibratory conveyor system that uses controlled vibrations to move and convey bulk materials efficiently and reliably. The SYNCRO-COIL® system ensures smooth and consistent material flow, minimizing the risk of blockages or disruptions in the production process.

VIBRA-DRUM in a foundry

VIBRA-DRUM® SAND CASTING EQUIPMENT

The VIBRA-DRUM® is a specialized piece of equipment designed for sand casting processes in foundries. It utilizes vibration to enhance sand casting operations by improving sand flow, reducing casting defects, and increasing overall casting quality. The VIBRA-DRUM® creates a tumbling action that effectively breaks apart sand clusters, resulting in improved mold quality and better metal penetration.

general-kinematics-spira-flow

Spira-flow™ spiral conveyors

Spira-flow™ spiral conveyors are spiral-shaped conveyors designed for efficient material handling in foundry operations. They are ideal for conveying bulk materials vertically or horizontally, allowing for space-saving and continuous flow of materials. Spira-flow™ spiral conveyors offer gentle handling of materials, minimizing product degradation and maximizing throughput.

Cooling Spiral

SPIRA-COOL® Casting Cooling Spiral

The SPIRA-COOL® Casting Cooling Spiral is a specialized cooling system used in foundries to efficiently cool and solidify castings. It employs a spiral design to provide controlled cooling, ensuring consistent cooling rates and preventing thermal stress in the castings. The SPIRA-COOL® system enhances productivity by reducing casting cycle times and improving the overall quality of the castings.

v trough

V-Trough® Vibratory Inclined Conveyor

The V-Trough® Vibratory Inclined Conveyor is a versatile conveyor system designed to handle various materials in foundry applications. It uses vibrations to convey materials at an inclined angle, allowing for efficient movement of bulk materials while preventing material spillage or blockages. The V-Trough® design ensures gentle handling of materials, minimizing product degradation and maximizing conveying efficiency.

Vibra-Mill

VIBRA-MILL® VIBRATORY LUMP BREAKERS 

VIBRA-MILL® Vibratory Lump Breakers are equipment specifically designed for breaking down lumps and agglomerations in foundry materials. They utilize vibration and controlled impact to reduce the size of lumps, improving material flow and enhancing downstream processes. VIBRA-MILL® Vibratory Lump Breakers help to ensure consistent material quality and improve overall processing efficiency in foundry operations.

Optimize your Foundry Services with GK

General Kinematics has been solving complex foundry process challenges since 1960. Using cutting edge technology, GK produces rugged and reliable equipment for the most challenging environments. Our foundry service equipment offers everything from casting and spruce cleaning to shakeout and sand attrition. To learn more about General Kinematic’s foundry equipment and start improving (or building) your foundry facility flow, contact a GK engineer today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job of foundry?

Foundry is the process of shaping and molding metals into desired forms through casting techniques. It involves melting metal materials and pouring the molten metal into molds to create various objects, components, or products.

What is foundry in technology?

In technology, foundry refers to a specialized facility or factory where metals are cast into specific shapes and structures. It plays a crucial role in manufacturing a wide range of products, from small components used in electronic devices to large industrial parts and machinery.

What is a short definition for foundry?

A foundry is a place where metals are melted and cast into various shapes using molds, enabling the production of diverse metal objects and components.

What is the difference between a foundry and a forge?

The primary difference between a foundry and a forge lies in the processes they perform. A foundry is involved in casting metals, which includes melting and shaping molten metal into solid forms using molds. On the other hand, a forge is responsible for heating and shaping solid metal through techniques like hammering, pressing, or rolling, without involving the melting phase.

General Kinematics Corporation, incorporated in 1960, was established to market, design, and custom fabricate innovative vibratory equipment for the foundry, recycling, mining, and processing industries. Today the company continues as one of the world’s largest suppliers of vibratory processing equipment and has evolved into an industry-leading EPC firm. Headquartered in Crystal Lake, IL, General Kinematics has seven global locations providing engineering and support to a world-wide customer base. GK is a third generation, family-owned company and is ISO 9001 certified.