[TheForge] a blacksmithing question and a ceramic/pottery question

[Andrew Vida]

On 1/4/2012 11:43 PM, terry l. ridder wrote:
> hello
>
> to clarify.
>
> the part in question was either manufactured by lost-wax casting or
> powder metal technology. lost-wax casting is not possible at the
> moment. powder metal technology is beyond anyone's experience.

	The main reason sintering is used, for example in the manufacture of 
automotive driveline components, is to save money in terms of material 
(almost no waste) and machine time.  There are other advantages as well, 
but they were unintended results, such as superior wear profiles in some 
applications.

	Investment casting is readily accomplished if you can make a pattern. 
There are plenty of companies who can do it.  Joe Meisner  Inc. on Long 
Island may still be in business.  They do ceramic shell work. Capacity 
as I recall was fairly large.