Choosing A Ground Engaging Tools Foundry

Five tips for selecting a ground engaging tools foundry

When selecting a steel casting foundry to produce your ground engaging tools (G.E.T.) and bucket wear parts, the most important part of the sourcing and procurement process is the supplier qualification and approval. Assuming the qualification of a ground engaging tools foundry can cause big problems down the line when it comes to meeting purchase requirements and product quality.

Working with an unqualified and low-cost wear parts supplier could end up costing you more in the end, resulting in a loss on your casting investment and reputation. Over the years, ENSTRUC has developed a global network of dual-source investment casting and sanding casting foundries to secure the customer supply chain.

1/ Diversity in the foundry process is critical if you have cast steel wear parts that have a variety of complex designs, applications, and sizes. The casting process for each metal part may differ. Maybe investment casting is most cost effective for you, or maybe your steel components would benefit from the sand casting process. Achieving the desired hardness, quality and finish of the cast wear parts can be manipulated beforehand by selecting a casting partner with diversity.

2/ Industry experience is a must.  A casting foundry that produces agricultural wear parts doesn’t necessarily have the know-how and experience to produce mining wear parts. Cast wear parts manufacturers in your industry can anticipate and predict potential quality problems. They have already learnt from their mistakes! Check their website to see their main markets.

3/ Validate the foundry’s quality certificates to ensure they have the right quality processes in place to manufacture your ground engaging parts to specification. Do your wear parts need non-destructive testing (NDT), mechanical testing, or chemical testing? Many steel casting foundries outsource their quality testing but a sign of a good one, is a foundry that controls everything in-house.

4/ Quality and price is what matters the most to our customers. Make sure your potential steel casting foundry can meet your product quality and price expectations. If price is the only factor, be prepared to find low-cost foundries attractive, but accept the foundry could lower it’s service and/or product quality to draw you in. Aim for the highest quality to meet your budget and target market.

5/ Value added services may not be of interest right now but they could help out in the future. Always check whether the potential foundry offers professional services that could benefit you. For example, custom-design services and metallurgy expertise are particularly helpful when developing your own range of mining teeth and bucket wear parts.

Not only are you guaranteed great service today, but you will receive even better service tomorrow. By listening to end users around the world and regularly analyzing our material wear data, ENSTRUC starts each new day with your product quality in mind.