Well ladies and gentlemen, all good things must come to an end, and this will be my last blog posting. My internship is ending, but I’ve enjoyed the time I have spent with Metal Casting Design & Purchasing learning about the metalcasting industry. I have learned the basics and seen first-hand how a foundry works. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but am glad I immersed myself into a subject I had no previous knowledge about: castings.

In my journey navigating this industry, I learned that metal castings are all around us. Touring a metalcasting facility was something I will never forget. Witnessing all the steps involved from concept to casting and seeing the glowing molten metal being poured into molds was like getting backstage passes for the castings arena and meeting the talented foundry “rock star” workers (I guess “metal stars” would be more appropriate). I also gained knowledge about everyday items I use in which castings play a significant role. I think people would be shocked that they are never more than 10 ft. from a casting, as I was at first. Castings are so close to us, helping us in our everyday lives.

I hope you have enjoyed my impressions on the metalcasting industry and have been reminded of when you were a newbie, when there was so much to take in but you were gratified by learning along the way.  I may not be a metalcasting expert quite yet, but I still have a lot of casting knowledge under my belt.

My favorite experience throughout this venture was learning how metal castings can be molded into almost anything. The possibilities are endless, ranging from a functioning part in a car engine to a beautiful work of art. This reminds me of how anything is possible, with just a few modifications.