Blog

Inspect Casting Porosity with Nondestructive X-Ray

Wed, Nov 09, 2022 @ 08:35 AM

The phrase aluminum die casting porosity is used extensively when talking about any void in an aluminum casting, but it does not describe the actual...

Sealing Motors with Vacuum Pressure Impregnation vs. Varnish Dip

Mon, Oct 24, 2022 @ 10:20 AM

One component that engineers are designing in electric vehicles (EVs) is the electric motor. This component is one of the main driving-forces behind...

Three Reasons to Seal Electronics with Vacuum Impregnation

Thu, Sep 01, 2022 @ 10:15 AM

Electronics play a crucial role in electric vehicles (EVs). In 2000 automobile electronics were responsible for 18 percent of the cost of a car....

The Ultimate Guide to Sealing 3D Printed Parts

Mon, Aug 15, 2022 @ 03:45 PM

When 3D printing was first developed in the 1980’s, it was primarily used for a product’s proof of concept or initial prototypes. The limits of the...

Case Study: Tailored Solution to Seal Powder Metal Porosity

Thu, Jun 30, 2022 @ 08:45 AM

The increased use of turbochargers has become an important trend in car manufacturing. This trend has been driven by requirements to design smaller,...

How Vacuum Impregnation Enables Lightweighting

Wed, Jun 01, 2022 @ 01:00 PM

Recent decades have seen a surge in the use of aluminum castings in car manufacturing. Aluminum has been a critical material in car manufacturing...

Case Study: Sealing Electronic Leak Paths with Vacuum Impregnation

Thu, Apr 07, 2022 @ 11:49 AM

Modern vehicles contain hundreds of electric control units (ECUs). These control functions that range from operation of the engine to keyless entry....

Useful Lessons from Henry Ford on Modernizing Equipment

Mon, Jan 31, 2022 @ 09:29 AM

As manufacturing equipment ages, the maintenance and repair (MRO) of the equipment increases while the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)...

Three Ways Recoverable Vacuum Impregnation Sealants Contribute to Environmental Sustainability

Wed, Dec 08, 2021 @ 09:45 AM

As consumer demands evolve, it's imperative for companies to become environmentally conscious. As a result, OEMs and manufacturers who use...

Cost of Vacuum Impregnation

Wed, Nov 03, 2021 @ 09:29 AM

Manufacturers are constantly faced with either scrapping castings that leak or sealing the castings through vacuum impregnation. Some may perceive...

Sealing Electronics with Vacuum Impregnation vs Potting

Tue, Aug 31, 2021 @ 08:37 AM

The use of electronics in automobiles has made cars faster, safer, and more reliable. Electronics have become so prevalent that they're practically a...

Strategies for Acquiring and Financing Vacuum Impregnation Equipment

Thu, Jun 03, 2021 @ 08:55 AM

The benefits in owning and operating equipment vs. outsourcing are found in the savings of logistics, quality, and part costs. These savings serve to...

Preparing Parts for Vacuum Impregnation

Fri, May 28, 2021 @ 08:44 AM

Vacuum impregnation is the most effective way to seal porosity. But for it to be effective, one must adequately prepare parts prior to impregnation....

How Vacuum Impregnation Improves Powder Metal Machining

Mon, Apr 26, 2021 @ 11:34 AM

A major benefit to manufacturing with powder metal is that parts are made to near net shape. Often, machining is thus only a secondary operation for...

Case Study: Scalable Vacuum Impregnation Enables Supply Chain

Mon, Mar 08, 2021 @ 10:00 AM

To meet global customers' needs, automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) must develop international supply chains. And when an OEM seeks...

IHS Markit's Purchasing Manufacturing Index

Tue, Nov 24, 2020 @ 01:09 PM

In its latest report, IHS Markit's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) offers a picture of the U.S. economy's current state. Led by manufacturing, U.S....

How to Seal Die Casting Porosity?

Mon, Nov 02, 2020 @ 08:44 AM

Die casting is a metal casting process that injects molten metal through high pressure into a die. It is an economical process that can manufacture a...

How to Eliminate Sealant Contamination

Wed, Oct 21, 2020 @ 08:51 AM

A common frustration we hear from manufacturers is that their vacuum impregnation process may seal porosity, but some parts still need to be scrapped...

5 Tips for Attending NADCA's Virtual Conference

Mon, Oct 12, 2020 @ 08:30 AM

This year's NADCA Diecasting Congress and Table Top Conference has transitioned to virtual. Watching a screen will require a different kind of focus...

Testing Vacuum Impregnation Sealant Compatibility vs Impregnation Process Effectiveness

Tue, Oct 06, 2020 @ 01:25 PM

There exists a misconception on testing requirements for vacuum impregnation sealants and vacuum impregnation processes. Testing impregnation...

Case Study: Choosing the Right Vacuum Impregnation Program

Thu, Sep 17, 2020 @ 03:15 PM

In 2008, a North American motorcycle OEM decided to insource their vacuum impregnation requirements to reduce manufacturing costs. The OEM considered...

Video: CAPi Walkaround

Thu, Aug 06, 2020 @ 09:05 AM

The Continuous Advanced Powertrain Impregnation system (CAPI) allows high volume OEM and suppliers to have the benefits of vacuum impregnation in a...

How Vacuum Impregnation Supports Environmental Responsibility

Wed, Jul 29, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

Automotive manufacturers realize that being environmentally responsible and profitable are not mutually exclusive. Being environmentally responsible...

Video: API System Seals Transmission Cases

Fri, Jun 12, 2020 @ 08:46 AM

Back by popular demand, John Halladay (aka Johnny Impreg) shows our latest vacuum impregnation system, the Advanced Powertrain Impregnation system...

ISM Manufacturing Index Increases to 43.1 in May

Wed, Jun 03, 2020 @ 08:00 AM

The ISM Manufacturing Index measures manufacturing activity based on a monthly survey of more than 300 manufacturing purchasing managers. The survey...

2020 Global Light Vehicle Sales and Production Forecasts

Tue, May 05, 2020 @ 08:00 AM

In its latest analysis, IHS Markit has revised its global light vehicle sales and production forecasts due to the COVID-19 impact. IHS Markit's...

Eliminating the 7 Wastes of Lean Manufacturing with Vacuum Impregnation

Thu, Apr 09, 2020 @ 09:30 AM

Waste is any activity that consumes resources but brings no product value. Eliminating non-value, unnecessary waste is crucial for a company's...

4 Reasons to Seal Powder Metallurgy

Mon, Mar 09, 2020 @ 08:49 AM

Like most manufacturing processes, porosity is inherent to powder metallurgy. Porosity is only considered a defect if it is interconnected and...

Case Study: Improving Vacuum Impregnation Production Flow

Tue, Feb 18, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

An effective production flow involves work stations and equipment to be arranged in a sequence that supports a smooth flow of parts and materials...

Video: Continuous Flow Impregnation System Walk Around

Tue, Feb 04, 2020 @ 01:31 PM

Godfrey & Wing's Continuous Flow Impregnation (CFi) system seals porosity in a short cycle time with minimal labor. In this video, John Halladay (aka...

State of the Die Casting Industry

Mon, Jan 27, 2020 @ 03:48 PM

In the latest issue of Die Casting Engineer, NADCA President Stephen Udvardy reports on the overall North American die casting health. This piece...

Video: Continuous Advanced Powertrain Impregnation (CAPI) Walk Around

Mon, Jan 06, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

Godfrey & Wing’s Continuous Advanced Powertrain Impregnation system (CAPI) allows high volume OEM and suppliers to have the benefits of vacuum...

Video: Can Vacuum Impregnation Seal Cracks?

Mon, Dec 02, 2019 @ 09:15 AM

In some die casting applications, components must also be pressure-tight to hold pressurized fluid or gases. Companies use the vacuum impregnation...

Correcting Three Vacuum Impregnation Myths

Mon, Nov 25, 2019 @ 09:43 AM

In some die casting applications, components must also be pressure-tight to hold pressurized fluid or gases. Companies use vacuum impregnation to...

Case Study: Enabling Continuous Flow Manufacturing

Tue, Nov 05, 2019 @ 09:03 AM

Productivity and quality are keys to the success of any continuous flow production philosophy. However, vacuum impregnation systems have remained...

Can Vacuum Impregnation Seal Cracks?

Wed, Oct 30, 2019 @ 09:00 AM

In some die casting applications, components must also be pressure-tight to hold pressurized fluid or gases. Companies use vacuum impregnation to...

Explore Cleveland During The Die Casting Congress & Tabletop Show

Tue, Sep 03, 2019 @ 02:26 PM

We look forward to seeing you while you visit Cleveland during NADCA's Die Casting Congress & Tabletop. We’re home to a number of distinguished...

Case Study: Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness with Vacuum Impregnation

Tue, Aug 27, 2019 @ 01:08 PM

As manufacturing equipment ages, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) decreases. A company that fails to invest in equipment, will not be able...

Video: HVLV Walk Around

Wed, Jul 17, 2019 @ 10:22 AM

The HVLV vacuum impregnation system allows OEMs, contract manufacturers, die casters and foundries to have the benefits of vacuum impregnation in a...

Video: When Should I Impregnate a Casting

Thu, Jun 20, 2019 @ 08:50 AM

The goal of a foundry is to produce high quality die castings that meet or exceed the customer’s specifications at a competitive cost. In some die...

Should Vacuum Impregnation Be Done Before or After Finishing?

Thu, May 02, 2019 @ 03:44 PM

Powder coat, paint, chromate conversion, or anodizing, are common finishes applied to die cast parts to improve their performance or appearance. In...

Case Study: How Portable Equipment Solved Production Capacity Issues

Wed, Apr 03, 2019 @ 01:36 PM

The casting industry is in a transitional period adjusting to new trends and products. Manufacturers require flexibility in their equipment to...

Case Study: How One Company Overcame Their Casting Porosity Challenge

Tue, Jan 08, 2019 @ 10:22 AM

Manufacturing activities are being shaped to an increasing degree by the demands of consumer taste. Consumer’s expectations of quality and...

Should Porosity Be Sealed Before or After Machining?

Wed, Jan 02, 2019 @ 08:55 AM

The goal of a foundry is to produce high quality die castings that meet or exceed the customer’s specifications at a competitive cost. In some die...

Case Study: How One Turf Care Company Solved Their Casting Porosity Challenge

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 @ 09:19 AM

The commercial turf care market is expected to reach USD 38.2 billion by 2025. The growing trend toward investing more time in one's home leads to a...

Automated Vacuum Impregnation Enables Transmission Production

Mon, Nov 26, 2018 @ 02:13 PM

Godfrey & Wing recently published in the Die Casting Engineer November issue titled: "Automated Vacuum Impregnation Enables Transmission Production"

An Introduction to Vacuum Impregnation Equipment Safety

Mon, Nov 05, 2018 @ 10:29 AM

The beginning of the 21st century was a turning point for vacuum impregnation equipment safety, and in less than two decades there have been...

Novelis Projects Automotive Aluminum Demand To More Than Double by 2025.

Tue, Oct 09, 2018 @ 04:21 PM

In an interview with Reuters this month, Pierre Labat, vice president of global automotive at Novelis, the world's largest maker of rolled aluminum...

Establishing Leak Rate Standards

Tue, Sep 11, 2018 @ 09:46 AM

A previous blog What Size of Porosity Can Vacuum Impregnation Seal? discussed that porosity occurs naturally and that the purpose vacuum impregnation...

What Size of Porosity Can Vacuum Impregnation Seal?

Mon, Jun 04, 2018 @ 08:45 AM

A commonly asked question is "What size of porosity can vacuum impregnation seal?" What seems like a simple, straightforward question is actually a...

Case Study: Lean Supply Chain Enabled with Vacuum Impregnation

Thu, May 10, 2018 @ 12:22 PM

A global automotive part manufacturing company produces aluminum engine blocks, cylinder heads, and transmission cases. The company is a Tier 1...

Sealant Testing: What Can a Sealant Slug Tell You?

Tue, Mar 13, 2018 @ 11:22 AM

Vacuum impregnation is a process that seals porosity in metal castings. If left untreated, then the porosity creates a path for fluids and gasses to...

Case Study: Aluminum Casting Porosity Forces the Need for Vacuum Impregnation

Thu, Feb 01, 2018 @ 11:26 AM

One of the largest aluminum casting facilities in United States produces engine blocks and transmission cases for an automotive OEM. This facility...

What's the Difference in Gas and Shrinkage Porosity?

Fri, Jan 12, 2018 @ 08:57 AM

The definition of porosity is any void or hole in a casting. But this definition does not describe or give direction on the root cause of porosity....

Case Study: Quality Conditions Demand Impregnation Equipment

Thu, Dec 14, 2017 @ 03:40 PM

Schabmüller Automobiltechnik is a leading engineering, machining, and sub-assembly supplier to major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Founded...

Case Study: Eliminating Shrink Porosity in Lost Foam Castings

Thu, Dec 07, 2017 @ 10:03 AM

Manufacturing castings with the lost foam process enables the foundry to produce castings with many benefits and features not available in other...

Case Study: Vacuum Impregnation Enables Continuous Production

Wed, Nov 15, 2017 @ 10:03 AM

The Albert Handtmann Metallgusswerk GmbH is the largest lightweight (aluminum) foundry in Germany. The family-owned company has continually...

Motor Controls Manufacturer Installs Impregnation System for In-House Production

Mon, Oct 02, 2017 @ 08:47 AM

Foundry Management & Technology recently wrote an article about a Godfrey & Wing HVLV vacuum impregnation system that was installed at SEW-Eurodrive....

Article: Vacuum Impregnation Enables Lightweight Material Use

Thu, Sep 21, 2017 @ 08:53 AM

Godfrey & Wing has published an article in LightWeighting World titled "Vacuum Impregnation Enables Lightweight Material Use". This article discusses

Do Vacuum Impregnation Sealants Melt?

Tue, Sep 12, 2017 @ 08:50 AM

A question that is often asked is "Will the sealant used in vacuum impregnation melt?" This is asked by those who's castings need to withstand...

Types of Vacuum Impregnation Processes

Mon, Aug 28, 2017 @ 10:09 AM

Vacuum impregnation in metal castings and powdered metal parts refers to the sealing of leaks resulting from porosity. In this post, we will discuss...

Continuing Advances in Vacuum Impregnation Systems

Mon, Aug 21, 2017 @ 08:33 AM

Godfrey & Wing has published an article in Foundry Management & Technology titled "Continuing Advances in Vacuum Impregnation Systems". This...

Video: How Godfrey & Wing's Equipment Works

Mon, Aug 07, 2017 @ 07:34 AM

Godfrey & Wing's vacuum impregnation equipment is the best in the world. The equipment re-imagined vacuum impregnation by making it safer,...

Understanding the Vacuum Impregnation Process

Wed, Jul 19, 2017 @ 08:10 AM

Vacuum impregnation seals porosity and leak paths in metal castings and powdered metal parts that form during the casting or molding process. The...

Why Use Dry Vacuum Pressure Impregnation?

Thu, Mar 09, 2017 @ 07:06 AM

To say that all vacuum impregnation processes are equal would be to say that every die casting process is the same. Nothing could be further from the...

Porosity Classification System Helps Determine Solutions to Casting Leaks

Wed, Mar 08, 2017 @ 02:41 PM

Water, as we all learned in basic chemistry, exhibits a unique phenomenon: as it solidifies, it expands. For other liquids in our physical world,...

How Impregnation Makes Porous Castings Pressure Tight

Mon, Jan 23, 2017 @ 03:58 PM

Ever since metal casting was first discovered, casting porosity, an area of sponge-like internal structure in an otherwise sound metal part, has been...

Eliminating Weld Porosity (Case Study)

Tue, Jan 10, 2017 @ 09:42 AM

Since 1891, The Bonnot Company has designed and manufactured extrusion equipment. One of the unique features of a Bonnot extruder is a hollow screw...

Top 5 Vacuum Impregnation Blogs of 2016

Fri, Dec 30, 2016 @ 08:30 AM

It is the end of another year. Which means that it is time to address our mixed feelings about New Years resolutions, and reflect on the year that...

What's the Difference in Vacuum Impregnation Sealants? [Infographic]

Mon, Oct 24, 2016 @ 08:22 AM

When choosing a vacuum impregnation sealant, you have two sealants choices: thermal-cure, or anaerobic. Choosing one over the other has nothing to...

Vacuum Impregnation FAQ: Part 2

Mon, Oct 17, 2016 @ 08:40 AM

We posted a blog in May about the common frequently asked questions about vacuum impregnation. With the complexity of the subject, these questions...

Three Types of Die Casting Porosity

Thu, Aug 25, 2016 @ 09:00 AM

When a casting porosity problem occurs, the first challenge is to determine the type of porosity. The following porosity classification guide can...

Change of MSDS/TDS to SDS Documents

Fri, Aug 19, 2016 @ 01:11 PM

OSHA issued a new regulation changing current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the Global Harmonized System of Classifying and...

Understanding Vacuum Impregnation (Handbook)

Mon, Jul 25, 2016 @ 09:30 AM

We recently update our vacuum impregnation handbook. The handbook takes the complicated subject of vacuum impregnation and simplifies it. This...

Advanced Powertrain Impregnation (Video)

Wed, Jul 13, 2016 @ 10:00 AM

Our new Advanced Powertrain impregnation (APi) system simplifies and compacts the vacuum impregnation process so that you can bring vacuum...

When to Use a Traditional Batch System Vacuum Impregnation?

Wed, Jun 08, 2016 @ 05:11 PM

Years ago and even today, Batch System Vacuum Impregnation was the most common vacuum impregnation system. Despite a recent shift towards Single...

Vacuum Impregnation FAQ

Mon, May 16, 2016 @ 09:54 AM

We are sometimes told by customers that they are unaware of what vacuum impregnation is. Ultimately, they have a casting with porosity that is...

CFi Vacuum Impregnation System Creates Competitive Advantage

Wed, Apr 20, 2016 @ 03:04 PM

The Albert Handtmann Metallgusswerk GmbH is the largest lightweight (aluminum) foundry in Germany. When the opportunity arose for the company to...

Have you read the latest Fundidores?

Fri, Apr 01, 2016 @ 04:12 PM

Shutdown Maintenance of Impregnation Systems and Sealants

Wed, Dec 10, 2014 @ 02:48 PM

As we approach a shutdown used by many manufacturers to service plant equipment, it is important to ensure that impregnation systems and sealants be...

What Is Continuous Flow Vacuum Impregnation?

Thu, May 29, 2014 @ 09:42 AM

The Continuous Flow Impregnation (CFi) System is a lean, front loading vacuum impregnation system that uses a robot for part handling and transfers...

What Does It Mean When a Sealant is Qualified and Approved by MIL-I-17563C?

Mon, Mar 24, 2014 @ 11:17 AM

MIL-I-17563C is the Military Specification for cast or powder metal components. This specification is approved for use by all Departments and...

Thermal Cure and Anaerobic Sealant Applications

Thu, Oct 17, 2013 @ 12:11 PM

We often write about the different types of vacuum impregnation systems that are commonly used and how each may be best suited for use when...

What is the lifespan of your vacuum impregnation system?

Thu, Aug 29, 2013 @ 10:35 AM

Is it more cost-effective to repair your existing vacuum impregnation equipment or to purchase a new system? There are many factors to consider when...

Don´t Hesitate to Use Vacuum Impregnation

Tue, Jun 04, 2013 @ 10:16 AM

I often meet with potential customers who are hesitant to implement a vacuum impregnation process for a variety of reasons. In this article, I will...

How Much Does it Cost to Impregnate a Part?

Mon, May 06, 2013 @ 02:30 PM

One of the most common questions in vacuum impregnation is how much does it cost to impregnate a part, or in other words, how much sealant will a...

What is the sealant consumption with Godfrey & Wing sealants?

Wed, Apr 24, 2013 @ 11:19 AM

At Godfrey & Wing, we are often asked this question and wanted to provide some explanation in this article. Some manufacturers state that sealant...

Vacuum Impregnation Economics

Mon, Feb 18, 2013 @ 02:14 PM

The primary purpose of vacuum impregnation is to seal porous castings and prevent leakage. If the impregnation process is not efficient and fails to...

How Can Vacuum Impregnation Pumps Be Protected From Sealant?

Tue, Dec 18, 2012 @ 02:34 PM

In an earlier blog article, we discussed the most common ways that sealant can get into vacuum pumps during the impregnation process. As a reminder,...

How Does Vacuum Impregnation Work?

Tue, Dec 04, 2012 @ 12:40 PM

Vacuum impregnation seals the porosity in metal castings, thus making leaky castings pressure tight. But how exactly does it work? The following...

Why do I need to impregnate more than once?

Tue, Dec 04, 2012 @ 12:36 PM

There are a couple of possibilities that would require a double cycle impregnation.

What's the Difference in Anaerobic & Thermal Cure Sealants?

Thu, Nov 08, 2012 @ 11:06 AM

In the vacuum impregnation industry one of the more frequent topics of discussion surrounds the difference between anaerobic and thermal curing...

Flocculation: Causes and Prevention in Vacuum Impregnation Process

Thu, Oct 04, 2012 @ 11:47 AM

In an aqueous environment small insoluble particles are kept in solution by physical forces. While temperature and velocity play important roles in...

Old vs New Vacuum Impregnation

Mon, Sep 17, 2012 @ 12:35 PM

The other morning I was walking the dog around 5:00 AM, and I noticed how exceptionally crisp and brilliant the stars were in the pre dawn sky,...

Automated Data Collection in Vacuum Impregnation

Tue, Aug 14, 2012 @ 09:56 AM

Did we make money on that job?

Maquila Industry in Mexico Today

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 @ 11:00 AM

Maquiladoras or Maquila is a word used to describe manufacturing operations in a free trade zone – typically a company that processes components...

Preventative Maintenance in Casting Impregnation

Wed, May 23, 2012 @ 11:19 AM

In the casting impregnation industry preventative maintenance is a necessity. Due to the nature of the impregnation process and the wet environment,...

How Can Sealant Get Into a Vacuum Pump?

Tue, May 01, 2012 @ 09:57 AM

A common problem for those operating impregnation systems is sealant making its way into a vacuum pump. Sealant inside a pump (Figure 1) will lead...

Maintaining Impregnation Sealant for Optimal Performance

Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 10:54 AM

In order to maintain impregnation sealant for optimal performance, there are two vital tests that should be performed on a regular basis:

Dry Vacuum vs Wet Vacuum Process

Tue, Mar 27, 2012 @ 10:17 AM

Fundamentally, there are two factors that control impregnation results – sealant quality (formulation and working condition) and vacuum (depth of...

Why Do Aluminum Castings Discolor During Vacuum Impregnation?

Tue, Mar 13, 2012 @ 11:23 AM

A common question asked by customers is "Why do aluminum castings discolor during vacuum impregnation?". Aluminum parts with highly machined...

Variables to monitor in a DVP impregnation process

Tue, Mar 06, 2012 @ 10:58 AM

The three most important variables to monitor in a DVP impregnation process to ensure that your system is operating to its fullest capacity are the...

EUROGUSS 2012 – Review

Mon, Jan 30, 2012 @ 12:07 PM

This year’s EUROGUSS attracted a record number of domestic and foreign visitors to Nuremberg as 8,200 people were looking for information about die...

EUROGUSS 2012 - Trade Fair for Die Casting

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 @ 01:42 PM

Technology, Processes & Products

Vacuum Impregnation Processes

Thu, Jan 12, 2012 @ 10:29 AM

Why does GW recommend the dry vacuum and pressure (DVP) process?

What Size Vacuum Impregnation Equipment Do You Need?

Thu, Dec 29, 2011 @ 11:40 AM

In order to help determine what size vacuum impregnation system you need, there are a few questions you should answer first. The goal is to determine...