What This Part Is And Why It Is Made This Way
Support structures spend their life in compression and bending at the same time, usually in an awkward shape that a fabricator would need five pieces to build. Casting turns that shape into one part with no joints.
These structures are precision cast in steel grades, sized from 2 mm to 2000 mm across the process range.
What You Get From This Route
One casting replaces a multi piece welded bracket.
No weld seams means no weld inspection and no distortion from welding.
Size range to 2000 mm covers large support structures on the same route.
Application Scenarios
- Machine frame support brackets
- Equipment mounting structures
- Load transferring supports in machinery
- Structural arms and yokes
Who It Is For
- Machine builders simplifying welded frames
- Buyers reducing the number of parts and operations
- Designers who need a stiff shape in limited space
Technical Features
- Silica sol lost wax process
- Size range 2 mm - 2000 mm
- Weight 0.01 kg - 300 kg
- Carbon steel, low alloy, stainless and quenched and tempered materials
What Buyers Run Into Without This Specification
- A welded bracket distorts and has to be straightened after welding.
- Weld inspection adds cost and time to a simple structural part.
- Multi piece assemblies are never quite identical.
Published Material Weight And Process Data
Figures below are the published capability for precision casting. Part specific values — tolerance on individual features, finish, packing — are confirmed at drawing review and marked TBC until then.
| Material | 1.4304 / 1.4308 / ASTM 8620 / 2Cr13 / 20Mn5 / 42CrMo4 / S355 |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 0.01 kg - 300 kg |
| Process | Silica sol lost wax process |
| Tolerance Grade | CT5 - CT9 |
| Surface Roughness | Ra 3.2 - Ra 6.3 |
| Size Range | 2 mm - 2000 mm |
| Quick-Drying Route | 1 kg - 80 kg in G20Mn5+N / S355 / 42CrMo4 / G26CrMo4+QT1 / S690QL / GE300 |
| Part Specific Tolerance | TBC — confirmed against the customer drawing |
| Minimum Order Quantity | TBC — depends on the process route selected |
| Lead Time | TBC — confirmed with the production base at quotation |
How The Part Is Made And Checked
- Merged Scope — The precision casting scope now includes the former investment casting business, so one route covers both silica sol lost wax and quick-drying investment casting.
- Application Fit — Parts where appearance, assembly and dimensional consistency are demanding.
- Materials Covered — Carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel and quenched and tempered grades.
Quality management is based on ISO 9001 and covers supplier management, raw material inspection, production process control and final inspection. Inspection results are archived and traceable.
Options And Alternatives
Parts are produced to the customer drawing rather than to a fixed catalogue item, so material grade, machining scope, surface treatment and packing are all specified per order. Machining, dimensional control, surface treatment and necessary pre-assembly can be added to the same supply route.
Where another process family would suit the part better — for example a forging in place of a casting for a shock loaded connector — that comparison is raised during drawing review rather than after tooling is committed.
How To Specify This Part
Send the welded assembly drawing along with the load case if you are converting a fabrication. Consolidating a weldment into a casting usually pays back on labour and inspection before it pays back on material.
- Send the drawing with material, quantity, quality standard and target delivery date.
- State the inspection class and the zones it applies to, rather than a general note.
- Confirm the packing requirement and the lifting equipment available at the destination.
Related Guides
Other Parts In This Range
Thin Wall and Curved Components
Light sections and swept profiles
View specifications
Lifting and Connection Components
Eyes, links and load carrying connectors
View specifications
Shaft and Operating Components
Levers, spindles and actuating parts
View specifications
Inspection and Assembly Components
Parts qualified on the measuring machine
View specificationsConnection and Support Structures — Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth converting a weldment into a casting?
It often is where the shape is complex and volumes repeat, because welding, straightening and weld inspection all disappear. The assessment is done during drawing review.
How large can a precision casting be?
The size range for the silica sol lost wax process is 2 mm to 2000 mm, with weight from 0.01 kg to 300 kg.
What do you need to prepare a quotation?
Drawings, material, quantity, quality standard and target delivery date.
Which inspection is included?
The inspection scope is agreed during drawing review. Carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel and quenched and tempered grades.
Get A Quotation For Connection and Support Structures
Send the drawing and the application. We will confirm the process route, the production base and the inspection scope before quoting.