Steel Castings to Improve Performance,
Reduce Weight, and Cut Costs 

The Challenges -- Originally designed as welded assemblies, the hinge and bearing plates --

• Consisted of 40 welded pieces for the bearing plate and 25 welded pieces for the hinge plate.
  (Representative weld lines are shown in orange)

• Had multiple segments and extensive welding lines and sharp corners which acted as stress concentrators and reduce performance and durability.

• Were not optimized for weight savings.

• Had significant variation in tolerances and alignment due to fixturing and welding variability.

• Required full face machining on the mounting faces of the plates.

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Grede Foundries, Inc.
Milwaukee Steel Division