Aircraft Exhaust Part Converted to an Investment Casting Saves Costs

One customer saved over 90% of their costs when they converted their aircraft exhaust part from a billet to an investment cast. 

Franklin Precision Castings converted an aircraft part – an exhaust transition body – previously machined from billet to a stainless steel investment cast part. 

The exhaust transition body is connected to a valve that controls the pressure to the turbocharger in the aircraft engine.

The Conversion

The stainless steel exhaust transition body was previously machined from a solid block of stainless steel because volumes were low and the end-user assumed this process would save on delivery time and tooling costs. This is a common misconception with the investment cast process, but a misunderstood one.

Once volumes of the part began to increase and become steady, our customer made the decision to switch to the investment cast process. The end-user had originally specified on their original drawing to investment cast the part as it was the perfect fit.

Franklin Precision Castings received an RFQ for pricing and tooling charges, responding immediately as this was a familiar type of part.  It was the last one in a series of cast parts for turbo exhaust systems we were already manufacturing for this same customer.

The customer instantly placed their first order as pricing alone offered a 92% discount from their previous method. Additionally, tooling charges were recovered in the first order. 

Investment Cast Process

The investment cast process provides greater accuracy with a high degree of design flexibility and allows for complex designs with intricate features. The Investment cast process provides superb surface finish which allows customers to better manage production costs with little to no machining required.

Tooling & Machining

Franklin Precision Castings offers a one-stop shop with an in-house tool room staffed with skilled, knowledgeable tool makers who provide tooling in a short time frame and are available for necessary adjustments during the process. Additionally, if machining is required on projects, we can machine on-site by highly trained, experienced machinists.

MRO Americas Show

You can find Franklin Precision Castings at the MRO Americas Show held this year in Orlando, FL, April 27-29, 2021, showcasing the aircraft exhaust transition body along with several other parts made specifically for the aerospace industry. We will be exhibiting along with parent company, Wall Colmonoy.

Find us at Booth #653. Industrial Sales Manager, Kevin Weaver will be on hand to discuss your specific needs and how our capabilities can help you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

If you aren’t attending the show, Request a Quote for your investment cast part(s) or Contact Us to learn more.