Casting Failure Analysis
Casting is one of the oldest manufacturing processes on earth. A mold is prepared, molten materials are poured in, and then it cools to room temperature. What could go wrong? Even though there are many advantages to manufacturing by casting it is a labor-intensive process that is not easily automated, and anomalies often occur. If your manufacturing facility is experiencing nonconformities or anomalies in casting, there is no better expert to analyze these than Preston Scarber, PE, PhD.
Casting Consultants
Dr. Preston Scarber is a member of the American Foundry Society and has served on the following technical committees:
- Division 1-F: Process modeling
- Division 1A/B: Engineering
- Division 13: Lost Foam Casting Research
He has earned these AFS Awards and Honors:
- Outstanding Service Award – Division 11 (2008)
- Best Paper – Engineering (2007)
Dr. Scarber practiced casting expertise at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the following capacities:
- Research Engineer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 2001 – 2009. Duties included: collaborating with industry and simulation software producers to increase accuracy and usefulness of materials process simulation for reduced energy consumption; manage graduate and undergraduate student labor; discover new research capabilities that would augment the group’s casting research; publish research results in scientific journals; present research findings at conferences and meetings; maintain the group’s web site.
- Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Materials and Mechanical Engineering, 1998 – 2001. Duties included: developing ability to simulate casting processes; publish research results in scientific journals; present research findings at conferences and meetings.
His full CV including lists of accomplishments and publications can be found here.
Casting Anomaly Analysis
Flow Analysis
Vista Engineering’s casting consultants have investigated and solved complex flow problems involving various materials and casting processes. We can identify flow anomaly types such as shrinkage, misruns, cold shuts, cold shots, and microporosity in many different materials. Their understanding of potential imperfections allows them to provide guidance in the techniques to limit or reduce these imperfections. Our scientists and engineers use state of the art flow analysis modeling software to determine sources of casting anomalies.
Casting Flow Analysis and Testing Services
Contact us if you need help with casting flow analysis. Our professional engineers can assist with a single question or problem. More often, manufacturers rely on our services on a regular basis and contract with us monthly by way of a retainer. This ensures we are always available whenever an issue arises, and we complete many analysis jobs every month.
