Cast railroad motor mount adapter frame cuts weight 29%.(Forming/Processing)

A cast nickel-aluminum-bronze railroad motor mount adapter frame reduces weight by 29% compared with the previous assembly of ten fabricated and machined components, reports Piad Precision Casting Corp., Greensburg, Pa. The permanent-mold cast component weighs ~16 lb and supports the motor and clutch in a rail-road track-switching machine. Originally, the part consisted of ten fabricated and machined components requiring 20 weld joints, 24 machining operations, dichromating, and two painting processes. The bottom plate was machined from a one-inch thick steel plate (1020 cold ...