What are the advantages of casting over other metal working methods?
There are many more advantages to the metal-casting process; of course it is also true that conditions may exist where the casting process must give way to other methods of manufacture, when other processes may be more efficient. For example, machining procedures smooth surfaces and dimensional accuracy not obtainable in any other way; forging aids in developing the ultimate of fiber strength and toughness in steel; welding provides a convenient method of joining or fabricating wrought or cast products into more complex structures; and stamping produces lightweight sheet metal parts. Thus the engineer may select from a number of metal processing methods that one or combination, which is most suited to the needs of his work.
