Video: Between Casting and Machining from Solid Is Extrusion
The Machined Direct Drive Pedal from DW Drums realized design improvements thanks to machining, then cost improvement as result of moving one step further.
Share




A theme for 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ this month has been machining from solid, or machining hogouts. The cover story of this month’s issue focuses of machining hogouts as an alternative to casting. Yet these are not the only two choices. As DW Drums’ Vice President of Manufacturing Rich Sikra explains in this video, the drum maker formerly manufactured drum pedals using cast components, but shifted to machining from solid because of the engineering changes this move allowed. Then, to reduce the amount of machining required, the company went to what Mr. Sikra sees as an in-between option: starting with extrusions to realize aluminum workpieces that are initially somewhat close to the intended shape.
Here is even more detail about working with extrusions.
Related Content
-
Inside the Premium Machine Shop Making Fasteners
AMPG can’t help but take risks — its management doesn’t know how to run machines. But these risks have enabled it to become a runaway success in its market.
-
5 Tips for Running a Profitable Aerospace Shop
Aerospace machining is a demanding and competitive sector of manufacturing, but this shop demonstrates five ways to find aerospace success.
-
Lean Approach to Automated Machine Tending Delivers Quicker Paths to Success
Almost any shop can automate at least some of its production, even in low-volume, high-mix applications. The key to getting started is finding the simplest solutions that fit your requirements. It helps to work with an automation partner that understands your needs.