Our fully equipped tooling facility allows precision tooling to be done in-house, resulting in lower tooling costs and quicker casting delivery. Designs are created in-house with the Kubotek KeyCreator, while the tooling is then generated with the latest Mastercam 3D programming software. Our in-house tool room features:

Milling:

• Hardinge CNC Vertical Machining Center
• Haas VM -3 CNC Vertical Machining Center
• Haas VFSS -2 CNC Vertical Machining Center

Turning:

• Kent 13” x 40” manual lathe

Misc.

• Flex arm tapping machine
• Kent manual knee mill with 2-axis digital readout and 16” rotary table
• Harig 612 manual surface grinder
• Kubotek Keycreator solid modeling design software
• Mastercam 3D CNC Programming software with Mill and Solid Modeling package

Capabilities:

In-house Mold, Tooling, Gaging, and Fixture design and build

Wax patterns are produced by injecting the paste wax under pressure into the tool cavity via a wax injection press. For short runs, we use wax tooling that is simple, hand-operated, and single-cavity. These tools require operator assembly prior to each cycle and must be manually loaded into the injection press.

For higher-volume and larger-size parts, two fully automated wax injection machines are utilized.

Capable of producing 350+ molds per day, our supervisory computer and robotic dipping systems create the foundation for a repeatable process, not only increasing capacity but also improving the uniformity of shells. The supervisory computer system tracks casting throughput while ABB robotics drives the production process. This automation results in increased investment casting part accuracy, quality, and repeatability.

The shell dipping area is also equipped with three hand-dipping slurry tanks, three hand-dipping fluidized sand beds, and programmable drying conveyors. Hand-dipping is available for castings with complex geometries.

Five induction furnaces supply the molten metal requirements for the pouring of stainless steel, nickel, brass, bronze, cobalt, and specialty alloys. Furnace capacities range from 100 to 600 pounds (45 to 272 kg) per heat. For aluminum requirements, a dead-melt electric-resistance batch-melting furnace is used.

With our CNC machine shop, we have the capability to supply our customers with single-sourced, fully machined castings with shorter lead times. Our in-house machine shop includes:

CNC Turning

• Haas ST-25 with live tooling – 12″ max dia.
• Doosan Puma CNC lathe with live tooling – 10″ max dia.
• Hardinge Elite II 8/51 CNC lathe with sub spindle – 6″ max dia.

CNC Milling

• Haas VF-2SS VMC Vertical Machining Center
• Doosan DNM 500 CNC Vertical Machining Center with programmable 4th Axis 7500 RPM Spindle
• Doosan DNM 5700 Vertical Machining Center with programmable 4th Axis 15,000 RPM Spindle
• Doosan DNM 4500S Vertical Machining Center 15,000 RPM Spindle 31.5″ x 17.5″ Travel

In addition

• (2) flex arm tapping machines
• 3-station Drilling Center
• (2) manual knee mills with 2-axis digital readouts
• 13 x 40 manual lathe

Our newly expanded cleaning department is equipped with a robotic grinding cell and two NC-controlled automatic grinders. Our raw castings are processed with the following equipment:

• Programmable high-pressure water-blast system
• Cut-off saws
• Grinders (manual and robotic)
• Variety of shot-blasting machines
• Pneumatic shell knockout machine
• Pencil blasting station

The analytical lab is equipped with three spectrometers that provide chemical analysis for every heat poured, the results of which are certified and filed for future reference. Chemical certification can be supplied per customer request. The lab is located adjacent to the foundry, allowing for rapid chemical analysis.

Utilizing documented process controls and standards required by ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality System, Franklin strives for perfection to meet delivery deadlines while ensuring the integrity of all supplied castings. All quality performance levels are monitored and tracked by our Quality Control Department. Read our Quality Policy Statement.