Précicast is the only aluminum foundry in Canada. Founded in 1996 by Mr. Marc Tremblay, this industrial sector company is located in Saguenay, Quebec.
Précicast is unique in Canada as it uses plaster molding technology developed in Europe to cast high precision aluminum parts.
The products made by our highly skilled team at Précicast are exclusively made of aluminum, the base material of the process. Aluminum alloys are often referred to as “light alloys” since their density is significantly lower than that of other metals used in foundry metals.
Manufactured Parts
The aluminum parts manufactured by Précicast made of highly valuable and durable material offer beneficial characteristics for their customers. In fact, no other material resembles aluminum since this material is:
Précicast’s reputation transcends borders thanks to their team of highly skilled workers who perfectly master the cutting-edge equipment. Whether they are mold casters, machinist programmers, designers or laborers who finish the aluminum parts with exacting standards, Précicast specialists work in a niche environment and expertly operate the various equipment, such as: drying oven, thermal processing furnace, numerically controlled machine (4-axis CNC), among others.
The Précicast plaster molding process uses demountable two-part molds, similar to sand-casting molds. If cores are required, they are made separately in core boxes and then inserted into two half parts to form the required cavities.
Plaster molds are made by mixing plaster, refractory materials and water. This mixture is then cast onto the models and left to harden for 5 to 15 minutes.
The drying process is a critical step in mold making as all the moisture must be removed to prevent contamination from the gas that is released from the steam when metal is poured into the molds.
The insulating properties of the dried plaster molds keep the metal from cooling too quickly resulting in a slow solidifying process and enabling the aluminum to flow into the thinnest mold sections. Furthermore, the permeability of the mold allows the gas to escape from the metal.
Once the metal is fully solidified, the molds are carefully dismantled and the cast and feed systems are removed. The finishing process involves removing the separation lines, sanding or acid washing.
Aluminum-based, plaster-molded parts are often used as prototypes for new designs, therefore contributing to the development of new products in various activity sectors. Prototypes can be made very quickly using the Stereolithography (SLA) Process. Continuous R&D is at the core of Précicast’s operations as customers often submit ideas for the team to design and produce from start to finish.
Cast parts are frequently used as prototypes for die-cast parts with the same properties (dimensional stability and very fine surface finish). Précicast works closely with their customers’ engineering team to design stylish and complex custom parts with very thin walls. Customers are supported throughout the fabrication process with innovative and cutting-edge solutions.
Précicast’s expertise extends far beyond manufacturing. Above all, the company offers technological solutions and know-how to improve the performance of their customers’ equipment.
Over the years, Précicast has developed expertise in reverse engineering. In practice, a customer submits a fabricated part or object and the Précicast team analyzes it meticulously in order to produce a detailed technical drawing. Finally, a plaster mold is designed, and the aluminum part can be reproduced in the desired quantities.
Manufactured custom aluminum parts from plaster molds can be customized to suit the needs of all markets and industry sectors. Précicast is able to design all types of components based on the customer’s technical specifications, whether for electronic and optical components, automotive and recreational vehicles, the military, transportation and telecommunication fields, the pulp & paper industry, the medical and pharmaceutical fields, the aeronautics sector, robotics and industrial designers. If the part must be made of aluminum, Précicast has the expertise required to get the job done.
A Niche That Serves a Diversified Customer Base
The manufacturing of plaster casting aluminum parts is an expertise unique to Précicast and this revolutionary process applies to several areas of expertise permitting the company to provide customized end products to a wide range of customers across Canada and the United States.