That is the nagging question, especially when it comes down to crunch time. Every prototyper has a story about speedy turn-around of a prototype casting project and he may assure you that record turn-around of your casting is not a problem. But be careful about accepting this kind of promotional bravado at face value, especially if you are banking the success of your project on a record turn-around because you have run out of time.
Find out more about what type of casting was involved in this glowing report. If the part you are designing is an “airfit” part, meaning that it does not require close tolerances for a precision fit with a mating part of an assembly, then a shorter than standard turn-around time is quite possible. This is especially true if you only need one or two parts with less than critical dimensions and where a raw casting will be sufficient for the job. However, if your part requires very tight tolerances and has to fit perfectly with another part (in other words, tolerances are critical) then most likely machining will be needed and that will require a secondary operation, consequently more time to complete.
Every part presents a different set of challenges, and seldom, if ever, are the project requirements identical. So remember, whenever tight-fitting tolerances are required for mating parts, allow more time for secondary operations and the potential for unanticipated issues to arise.
Can prototype cast parts be produced in two or three days? Yes they can under special circumstances. However, one of the best ways to avoid unpleasant surprises and high levels of stress is to let your prototyper see your design and offer production feedback before you hit crunch time. At Aluma Cast we partner with designers to work out any anticipated production issues well before deadline. This makes everyone’s life a little less stressful and ensures a successful outcome.
Call Aluma Cast any time with concerns about your prototype.