Casting Design: Aluminum Permanent Mold Casting for Custom Motorcycles
When Larry, a motorcycle enthusiast from New Hampshire, wanted to offer customers a unique and creative way to express their appreciation for the American Armed Forces, he knew he had a great idea for a motorcycle part. He saw that Derby Covers were available with many designs in enamel and etching, but he couldn't find a powder coated, dual-layered version to provide a higher quality product than what was available on the market.
Permanent Mold Aluminum Castings
Palmer Associates provided the necessary casting engineering resources and was able to help Larry design a Derby Cover exactly the way he imagined it, with a weighted, free spinning outer cover. The cover features a sunken center, in which Larry will insert decorative American Armed Forces insignia. Palmer Associates connected Larry with a permanent mold foundry to create the desired aluminum casting.
CIF Metal of Canada was able to create the exact part that Larry wanted; an excellent aluminum casting at a low cost. As part of a motorcycle, the strength and durability of the Derby Cover was extremely important. Choosing the efficient and economical permanent mold casting process was an easy decision based upon the many strengths of the process.
Permanent Mold Casting Process
Permanent mold casting produces porosity free castings by pouring metal into holding crucibles on either side of the mold. By slowly tilting the mold from horizontal to vertical position, air and bubbles are reduced as metal flows into the mold. This produces a strong grain structure in the casting throughout the piece. The result is superior ductility and outstanding strength. In addition, since permanent mold casting produces a great surface finish, it was easier to have the Derby Cover powder coated black to provide a polished and unique look.
The final product is an exceptionally strong and durable Derby Cover with a smooth and attractive finish at a low cost. Palmer Associates takes pride in their ability to provide superior casting engineering services from prototype to production quantities, working to create the best product in the required production quantity and lead time. With over twenty five years of representing all casting processes which include: sand casting, die casting, graphite permanent mold castings to name a few; as well as plastic injection, Palmer Associates strength lies in the knowledge of which process will be the best choice both creatively and economically for each individual part.
For more information , please use the alloy and process charts to best select an alloy to comply with your application needs. Be sure to also view our video on
aluminum permanent mold casting.
Please contact Dick Palmer for assistance with your casting project. PDF and 3D files of your design can be sent to: Palmer Associates, 142 Main Street, Suite 302, Nashua, NH 03060 or call toll free: (888) 494-0414
Back to Top