VT-FIRE post by Samuel Edwards

On April 11, 2012 the Kroehling Advanced Materials Foundry (or The Foundry for short) opened its doors to the public and held a open house as well as a demonstration.  I attended the open house out of curiosity and an interest in metals.  I was simply blown away with what the people at the foundry have accomplished in the year that classes have been offered at the facility.  Not to mention the numerous awards that have been received and papers published.  One of the recent accomplishments awards was second place in the AFS Birmingham Chapter Student Casting Competition, students Adam Humphrys and Peter Kim casted an intricately designed airplane and pedestal.

 During the open house, I got to tour the foundry floor and was able to see the investment slurry tanks (used to make molds of wax parts), the Z Corp 3-D Rapid Prototyping Machine, shot and sand blast stations, Palmer Continuous Sand Mixer (used to make sand castings/molds) and what is a foundry without a few furnaces to liquefy metal in.  Two types of furnaces are employed by the foundry, both of which are manufactured by Inductotherm, the 300 lb.-capacity Induction Tilt Furnace and a Lift Swing Induction Furnace with 60 lb. crucible. 

 To cap off the open house, I was able to take a scratch plate (think sand mold with a flat bottom to scratch a design into) and create a design of my choosing.  After which we waited for the aluminum to finish melting and reach the buffer temperature.  As the induction furnace was lifted from the crucible we stood around waiting to watch the staff pour.  In all they poured about 12 molds plus a mold for propeller blades to be used by the Human Powered Submarine.  It was an incredible and interesting demonstration to watch not to mention I got my own design casted in aluminum. 

 As the open house came to a close the staff continued to answer any questions that arose and provide information regarding the classes that are offered at the foundry, needless to say I will be taking those classes.

 None of this would be possible without the help from the Piedmont Chapter of American Foundry Society and the countless other organizations/ companies that have helped along the way.  Finally a thank you to Alan Druschitz, Foundry Director, Carlos Suchicital, Facilities Manager and the students that assisted with the open house.

www.mse.vt.edu/vtfire