Before detailed design and manufacturing decisions are made, the casting designer has to consider two fundamental issues -- 

• What is the most appropriate casting process?
• What is the most appropriate alloy to use in the casting, considering both the performance and the manufacturability (castability and machinability)?

Go to the casting process and alloy selection pages.

Model of the Ice Cleat made by
Laminated Object Manufacturing

Once the casting process and the alloy are selected, the casting designer carefully reviews the component, looking at the factors and design features that determine  soundness and castability.

• Draft Angles,  Radii, and Fillets
• Hot Spots and Thin Sections
• Directional Solidification
• Parting Line and Orientation
• Risers for Metal Feed
• Gates and Runners

Go to the detailed casting design pages.

Model of the Ice Cleat made by
Laminated Object Manufacturing