Spiral Housing
Overview
Focus:
Ceramic CoresIndustry:
AerospaceDimensions (mm):
215 x 84.5 x 56Weight (g):
8701,200
High Alloy Steel
Tested
12-Year
Investment Cast
Lost Wax
Used to house the water pump in aircraft toilets, Texmo Blank has produced more than 1,200 of these components for the aerospace industry. Production takes place in our facilities in Riedlingen, Germany. We worked closely with the client using drawings and designs they brought to us to deliver the approved sample within 12 months. Our working relationship has so far lasted since 2012.
Material Selection
A high-alloy steel grade is used - 1.4581 (GX5CrNiMoNb19-11-2). This is the ideal material as this component needs to be stainless. It is an austenitic, corrosion-resistant casting steel with a high resistance to pressure, making it perfect for use in aerospace engineering.
Manufacturing Processes
The spiral housing is manufactured using the lost wax investment casting process. This part has a very complex geometry, posing a number of challenges which our engineers managed to overcome thanks to their ability to use a ceramic core to make the casting.
The geometry of the core means that investment casting is the best manufacturing process for this part - less precise methods such as milling from a solid are not viable. Alternatives such as die casting are also unsuitable because of the material used, as is sand casting due to the wall thicknesses and the required surface finish.
Quality Control & Testing
We work in accordance with drawings provided to use by the component’s designer - in this case the client. We measure the drawing tolerances in an initial sample test report and carry out random checks during the production process.
We also test the component using spectral analysis, hardness testing, fluoroscopy, crack detection and visual inspection.
Impact
Prior to working with Texmo Blank the customer had been struggling to design a part that could be manufactured to a high enough quality standard. However, once we introduced the potential to use a ceramic core it became far easier to realise a part that was up to standard and the manufacturing process could move forward.
Sustainability
We work according to Texmo Blank’s environmental management system to ensure the negative environmental impact of our manufacturing and delivery processes are minimised. This included the avoidance of unnecessary journeys and heat recovery in the foundries.
Get In Touch
We take pride in building successful, long-term relationships with our clients, because their reputation is our priority.
If that sounds like an investment castings partner you’d like to work with, you can book an introduction call with our friendly and knowledgeable New Relations Team — in a language and time zone to suit you.