Our purpose
Traditionally investment casting had been very labour intensive, with a focus on the “art” of the shell manufacturing process. Variability avoidance is the key attribute required of this process, and the clear benefits of automation and control to manufacturers meant that VA Technology’s expertise was a natural fit for the investment casting industry.
While utilising robotics during backup coats was a relatively easy step in the drive towards automating the shell making process, there was an understandable reluctance to do this at the prime coating stage, particularly due to the skill levels required. Achieving predictability by examining the process was absolutely key in overcoming this perception, and we worked hard to accurately understand and determine optimal intercoat durations, slurry dosing, stucco usage by shell type and shell weight data, amongst other things. For us, it made sense to apply a PC supervisory control to the robot, and indeed to all of the wider shellroom equipment such as slurry tanks, sanders, conveyors and drying systems as well, in order to really bring stability and accuracy to the shell manufacturing process.
As we saw new opportunities for innovation and improvement, we naturally developed a wide range of auxiliary equipment such as ceramic mixing, monitoring and other more sector-specific machines. Our aim then, as it is today, is to provide complete, high-performance shell manufacturing systems, that reliably and accurately meet our customer’s manufacturing needs, minimising labour dependency and reducing operational costs at every stage of the process.
Today this ongoing focus on innovation and helping customers to improve their manufacturing facilities has positioned VA Technology as a world-class supplier of shellroom systems.
