What’s new at LeClaire Manufacturing? What’s happening in the aluminum casting industry, and what does it mean for your business? Read our blog posts to find out!
Permanent mold casting uses a reusable steel mold instead of disposable sand, producing finer grain structure, roughly 15% higher mechanical properties than comparable sand castings, and molds rated for 50,000-plus cycles. Leading US manufacturers include LeClaire Manufacturing, Stahl Specialty, Alcast Company, Premier Aluminum, Watry Industries, Batesville Products, and Le Sueur Incorporated.
Categories: Permanent Mold Casting
Sand casting is the better choice for large parts, low production volumes, and fast, low-cost tooling; investment casting is the better choice for smaller, complex, thin-walled parts that need tight tolerances (ISO 8062 grades CT4–CT7) and a smooth as-cast surface finish (Ra 1.6–6.3 µm). Sand casting scales to 200-plus tons, while investment casting tops out around 1,000 pounds. If you're specifying a cast metal part and trying to decide between these two processes, the choice comes down to four factors: part size, tolerance requirements, production volume, and budget for tooling versus per-part machining. This guide walks through each factor with real numbers, then breaks down which process fits which use case.
Categories: Sand Casting
Green sand casting is a metal casting process that pours molten metal into a mold made from moist, clay-bonded sand. "Green" refers to the mold being uncured and moist at the time of pouring, not its color. It's the most widely used and lowest-cost sand casting method, well suited to ferrous and non-ferrous alloys alike, though it holds looser tolerances than chemically bonded sand methods. If you're specifying or sourcing a cast metal part and keep seeing "green sand casting" come up, this guide covers how the process actually works, where it's used, and how it stacks up against other sand casting methods. It's written for engineers and procurement teams evaluating casting processes, not for foundry personnel already familiar with the equipment.
Categories: Sand Casting
The strongest US sand casting manufacturers in 2026 combine ISO-certified process control, in-house core making and machining, and real experience in demanding sectors like defense, heavy truck, and off-highway equipment. Leading names include LeClaire Manufacturing, Waupaca Foundry, Consolidated Precision Products, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Neenah Foundry, Erie Bronze & Aluminum, Bremen Castings, Badger Alloys, Bunty LLC, Willman Industries, and Le Sueur Incorporated.
Categories: Sand Casting
The leading US aluminum casting manufacturers in 2026 pair deep alloy expertise (200 through 700 series) with tight process control across sand and permanent mold methods. Standouts include LeClaire Manufacturing, Alcast Company, Stahl Specialty, Eck Industries, US Aluminum Castings, Premier Aluminum, CPP-Cudahy, and Le Sueur Incorporated.
Categories: Aluminum Casting