When you need custom steel castings manufactured, choosing the right company to work with is crucial for getting parts made properly to your specifications. Rushing into working with any old steel casting producer can end up being a costly mistake resulting in low-quality castings. Here's why finding a company that can produce quality steel castings is vital.

Capabilities

One of the first things to consider is what size and variety of steel castings a potential provider can make. Carefully go over their website, brochures, and any case studies showcasing past steel casting jobs. You'll want to get steel castings fabricated by a company equipped for your particular needs, whether that's small prototype parts or high-volume production runs of large, complex castings. Confirm what alloys and weights they regularly cast in and what their dimensional capabilities are regarding factors like tight tolerances and intricate contours. According to MarketWatch, casting steel can be difficult because it's less fluid than other metals and more reactive to mold materials.

Track Record

The projects a steel casting firm has completed for other customers reveal a lot about what they can accomplish for you too. Browse through their portfolio photos not just for types of steel castings similar to your project but also pictures revealing fine details of finished cast surfaces. Close-up images displaying smooth surfaces absent of defects like porosity point to a provider capable of excellent workmanship. You might also ask to see sample castings in person that reflect capabilities matching your expectations. Again, making sure they have a proven track record is key to getting quality products.

Lead Times

Finally, investigate lead times from design finalization to the shipment of completed steel casting orders. How quickly a company can get your project underway and turn around finished parts impacts decisions like choosing local versus overseas providers. Lead times stretching many months likely indicate an overloaded producer unable to deliver promptly, whereas quicker turnarounds suggest sufficient capacity and flexibility to meet customers' needs. Their reliability in adhering to schedules also speaks to good organization and management.

Be sure to put in the work and search upfront by vetting prospective steel casting companies on these vital criteria before placing your order. Doing so can save a lot of time, money, and headaches down the road. You'll confidently partner with a manufacturer truly qualified to produce high-quality steel castings perfectly suited to your specifications. Reach out to us at NRB Metals today if you need high-quality steel castings.