How To Select A Suitable Jewellery Casting Machine?
How To Select A Suitable Jewellery Casting Machine?
We have already introduced the equipment needed for jewelry casting and their operation methods. In this article, we will talk about how to choose the right casting equipment.
When purchasing a casting machine, you should tell the supplier your needs as detailed as possible to help the supplier recommend the right equipment. Generally speaking, we need to know the following information:
- Material: We need to know what your casting material is? Gold, silver, copper, bronze, K gold, etc. Different materials have different melting temperatures, and you may need to choose different thermocouples or even different machines.
- Style: Each customer’s casting style is different. It is best to tell the supplier what style you want to make, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, etc. It is best to provide photos, or tell the supplier how thick you want to make it. If the thickness is very small, there are relatively high requirements for the fluidity of the material, so a relatively high melting temperature is required. Generally, we will consider R-type thermocouples, which will be more expensive.
- Capacity: Choose the appropriate capacity according to the production scale. For example, how many kg should be made at a time, or how large the size of the steel cup needs to be
- Ease of operation: Consider the operating interface and degree of automation of the equipment, and choose equipment that is easy to operate and maintain. There are many styles of casting machines, semi-automatic, automatic, button-operated, touch screen PLC controlled.
- Budget: Price is an important factor affecting procurement. There are many types of casting machines, and the price difference is also very large. You can tell the supplier your budget and let the supplier recommend the right equipment.
- After-sales service and technical support: Before purchasing, it is necessary to understand the supplier’s company background. Choosing a supplier that provides good after-sales service and technical support can ensure the long-term stable operation of the equipment.
The casting machines on the market can be roughly divided into the following types:
1. One-piece casting machine
The kaya one-piece casting machine is very common in the market. It is very cheap and combines vacuuming and casting into one. One pump can be used for two purposes, which greatly saves resources. It is small but complete. It is very suitable for schools, laboratories, and small jewelry processing factories. The common styles are 2L and 4L capacity, the flask size is 3*6 inches, and the voltage is 110 and 220V, suitable for all countries.
The left side is the vacuuming area. When vacuuming, put the flask, close the vacuum cover, open the ball valve switch to start vacuuming, and close the ball valve in the casting area. The right side is the casting area. When casting, put the flask, open the ball valve switch to start vacuuming, and then pour the molten metal liquid to start casting. At the same time, the ball valve in the vacuuming area should be closed.
However, the disadvantages of this machine are also obvious. First, the vacuuming ability of this machine is poor, and it is only suitable for some simple styles. The products produced are prone to pores and require a lot of time to repair. Second, there is no pressurization function, and the molten liquid must be poured into the plaster manually. If the fluidity of the metal is poor, it will cause defects in the casting. Third, without protective gas, the molten metal is easily oxidized, the casting quality is poor, and subsequent processing is troublesome. Fourth, the casting area is small and the output is low, which is only suitable for small processing plants, laboratories, etc.
2. Semi automatic vacuum pressure casting machine
The semi-automatic casting machine separates the melting and casting parts. When casting, the metal needs to be melted in the melting furnace first, and then poured into the casting machine to start casting. It can be regarded as an upgraded version of the kaya casting machine. CDOCAST semi-automatic casting machine has multiple styles, such as single chamber casting machine, double chamber casting machine, multi-chamber casting machine, that is, it has 1 casting chamber, 2 casting chambers, or multiple casting chambers. The size and number of casting chambers can be customized according to needs.
CDOCAST semi-automatic casting machine has the functions of pressurization, casting, exhaust and vacuuming, which can meet the needs of most customers. In China, many processing plants tend to use this semi-automatic casting machine for processing silver, copper and other jewelry castings. Because this machine is cheap and easy to operate, experienced workers can achieve very high daily output. When working every day, the smelting furnace is always kept in the starting state, continuously melting the metal, and then pouring it into the casting machine for casting and taking it out. In this cycle, the output can reach tens of thousands of pieces per day.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. First, it cannot pass protective gas, and the metal is easy to oxidize, and subsequent processing steps such as grinding and polishing are required. Second, workers need to keep an eye on the entire casting process and need to have certain operating experience.
3. Automatic vacuum pressure casting machine
An automated casting machine refers to a casting machine that integrates smelting and casting, and does not mean that it does not require manpower. CDOCAST fully automatic casting machines also have a variety of designs. For example, the 1kg fully automatic casting machine, the design of the built-in vacuum pump saves space, is suitable for a variety of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, and the size of the steel cup is 4*5 inches. When using it, you only need to set the melting temperature, vacuum pressure, pressurization pressure, and protective gas, and then press the heating, vacuuming, pressurizing, and injection buttons according to the process. Unlike the above two casting machines, the automated casting machine needs to work with a water cooler. This 1kg casting machine needs to use a 1P water chiller.
The larger ones include 2kg and 4kg casting machines. This is our best-selling casting machine at present, which can hold 5*10-inch steel cups. It uses Siemens touch screen and PLC control. When using it, you only need to set various parameters on the screen. Generally, CDOCAST will set the parameters before delivery, and the buyer will adjust them according to the casting situation after receiving the goods. Compared with the above machines, the degree of automation of this machine is greatly improved. The machine will automatically start melting, vacuuming, introducing protective gas, casting, exhausting, etc. according to the set parameters. The entire operation process is automated, which may be more suitable for some novice operators. The external powerful vacuum pump has a good vacuuming effect and a low possibility of pores in the casting.
In addition, we have launched an upgraded casting machine. The operating system is the same as the previous machine, but the cylinder is completely different. This machine uses an all-aluminum cylinder and an integrated manufacturing process. The opening method uses front and back opening instead of the previous upper and lower opening, which has better airtightness, vacuum and stronger pressurization capacity. Some customers may have very high requirements for casting thickness, 0.3mm, 0.2mm or even 0.1mm, which places very high demands on the machine. Fancy casting requires a relatively high melting temperature, and R-type or S-type thermocouples are usually used for temperature measurement. The metal melted at this temperature has better fluidity. In addition, excellent vacuuming and pressurization capabilities are required to allow the molten metal to completely fill the gypsum, so this machine is also the first choice for fancy casting, of course, the price will be much more expensive.
The above models are CDOCAST’s jewelry casting machines. Buyers can communicate with us more when purchasing, let us understand your needs and recommend suitable machines. We can also customize them according to your situation.
Learn more about the jewelry casting