FAQs

Looking for information about QNFF or our capabilities? Check out the frequently asked questions listed below. If you still have a question, please contact us and we will be happy to follow-up with you.

Alloys

What Alloys does QNFF commonly pour?

  • Aluminum: 319, 356, and 535
  • Brass: EMS 3-10, EMS 3-10A, 89833 bismuth bronze
  • Copper: 110 (pure) Copper
  • Bronze: 865 and 952

 

*QNFF has the ability to pour other similar alloys. Please send alloy information to QNFF’s manager.

Castings and Cores

What castings process does QNFF use?

Sand castings/ sand molded casting: QNFF produces castings using green sand* molds formed from “wet” sand which contains water and organic bonding compounds (clay).

*Green Sand: sand in an uncured state even when the metal is poured into the mold.

Permanent mold: QNFF produces castings using a   reusable permanent mold which is a metal casting process that shares similarities to both sand casting and die casting. Molten metal is poured into the metal mold which is clamped shut until the material cools and solidifies into the desired part shape.

No-Bake: QNFF produces castings using the no-bake process. Sand is mixed with a chemical binder/catalyst system and then molded around a cope and drag halves of the tooling. This type of casting is for low volume production.

How “big” of a casting can QNFF pour?

  • Castings of Aluminum: up to 120lbs
  • Castings of Brass, Bronze, or 110 (pure) Copper: up to 150lbs

 

*QNFF offers a variety of custom sizes and shapes of flasks to fit customer requirements.

What types of cores does QNFF use / produce?

Cores are used to provide cavities within a casting. QNFF can provide no-bake cores and shell cores and cold box cores. No-bake cores are made by mixing sand with a chemical binder/catalyst. This is a very low-cost option for small volume runs. Shell core is an expendable casting that uses a resin covered sand to form the mold.  The shell core is produced using a metal pattern, heat and a sand-resin mixture.  This is ideal for larger volume production and is more expensive than no-bake cores.

Patterns

Once a pattern is complete, how long is delivery time?

  • Cast: 4-6 weeks
  • Heat Treat: add one week
  • Machining: add 3 weeks

*Estimated delivery times listed. Actual delivery times provided at time of quote”

What materials are the patterns made from?

QNFF uses wood, plastic, and aluminum match plate patterns. Wood and plastic patterns are used exclusively for low-volume productions.

Does QNFF repair patterns?

QNFF provides in-house repairs for wood and aluminum patterns.

Testing and other Services

Does QNFF have metallurgical testing capability to prove your alloys are correct?

Yes, QNFF has a spectrometer in our quality lab.

Does QNFF have physical testing to prove specific alloy strength specifications (hour glass tensile tests, etc.)?

Yes, QNFF can contract with third party providers in the event tensile, impact, hardness, or other mechanical testing is required.

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