What is a Foundry

This is a very simple and basic question, one you think you know the answer to, but let’s explore it.  The simplest answer… a foundry is a business that produces castings in molten metal.

Although castings made from molten metal have been made for centuries, the word “foundry” originated in France around 1600 AD… as the word “fonderie.”

The main growth in the foundry casting of ferrous metals, such as stainless steel, came with the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries.  A series of advances enabled cast iron, and later steel, to be produced in large quantities at a much lower cost than possible in foundries before.

These breakthroughs in foundry methods were much needed for such modern technologies as steam engines, textiles, mining, machinery, ships, railways and the military.

In the 20th century the demand for foundries castings increased exponentially with the demands of the auto industry.  Add to that the military demands of two world wars, and the foundry industry demands exploded through the 1940s.

What are the common metals cast in a foundry today? Aluminum, cast iron, bronze, steel, magnesium, copper, tin, and zinc.

Additionally, today, the bulk of a foundries production is completed using robotic machines.  Not only does this cut back on labor costs, but these machines have been shown to reduce injury to workers.  A side benefit… it also reduces human error.