Counter gravity low-pressure inert-atmosphere (CLI) casting process.

Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. Inc. will be showcasing castings produced with its patented counter gravity low-pressure inert-atmosphere (CLI) casting process.

Designed for high-volume super-alloy engine components such as turbocharger turbine wheels and waste gates, using refractory alloys like IN713, Mar-M 246, and Nimonic 90, the process means IN625, IN718, IN100, haynes 230 and C263 alloys can also be cast.

CLI casting benefits including metallurgical cleanliness, thin wall castability, and cost reduction opportunities compared with using a conventional vacuum gravity casting processes. The company says validation tests have demonstrated superior fatigue properties of CLI cast components compared with conventional gravity vacuum castings.

Hitchiner has facilities in USA and Mexico, which produce high volume components such as variable valve train levers with high stiffness to inertia ratio, sliding rocker arms with DLC coating, turbo charger components in reactive alloys, with high fatigue properties, fuel rail components in stainless steel and gearbox components with compact geometry and multiple functions.

The company has patented a number of counter gravity casting processes (air, inert gas, vacuum melt, centrifugation), for its own use or for its licencees, and is using best in class simulation tools to optimize development cycles.