For OEMs, buying cast components is rarely as simple as finding a foundry and placing an order.

The casting itself is only part of the job. Material specification, tooling, machining, dimensional accuracy, inspection, production consistency, shipping and final delivery all have to work together. If one stage goes wrong, the part doesn't arrive when it should, doesn't fit, or doesn't perform as expected.

ATG provides a complete service for castings for OEMs, managing the process from the first drawing or specification through to the delivery of fully qualified production parts. That means the customer doesn't have to manage a foundry, machining company, inspection team and freight provider separately. ATG coordinates the whole supply chain.

Castings Manufactured to OEM Requirements

ATG manages the manufacture of OEM castings for customers across construction equipment, mining, quarrying, materials handling, transportation, agriculture, industrial machinery and material processing.

The components themselves vary considerably. ATG's supply programmes include cast iron components, cast steel components, structural castings, ground-engaging components and wear parts, as well as fully machined castings that arrive ready to go into the customer's assembly process. Finish-machined castings can range from relatively small 10 kg components through to castings weighing as much as 10 tonnes.

In crushing and screening equipment, for example, ATG supplies components including jaw, cone and impactor castings, alongside shafts and other machined parts used in equipment such as crushers, stacking conveyors and trommel screeners.

We also work with customers requiring manganese and high-chrome wear parts, wear plates and other components designed to operate in demanding environments.

Every project starts with the part

Our teams review the drawing, material grade, tolerances, machining requirements, production volumes and where the component will actually be used. That determines the manufacturing route and, just as importantly, which supplier is right for the job. We're not looking for the cheapest foundry. We're looking for a manufacturing partner that can make the part properly, repeatably and at the volumes the customer needs.

Qualified Manufacturing Partners

One of the biggest risks in global sourcing is losing visibility once the order has been placed.

Who is actually making the part? Does the factory have the right equipment? Are they working to the latest drawing? What happens if there's a technical issue halfway through production? ATG has established relationships with trusted manufacturing partners across its global supply network.

Different foundries and manufacturers have different strengths. A supplier that's right for a large structural casting won't necessarily be the right choice for an investment casting, shell mould casting or high-wear crusher component.

That's why supplier selection is made around the component rather than simply allocating work to whichever factory has capacity. ATG also has engineering teams based in the countries where parts are being manufactured. That matters.

Our engineers can visit factories, review drawings directly with production teams, check progress, support technical discussions and deal with issues while the parts are still on the factory floor. For an OEM buyer or engineer, that's much better visibility than placing an order with a supplier thousands of miles away and waiting for a shipping date.

From Raw Casting to Finished Component

Most OEMs don't want to buy a casting and then start another sourcing exercise to get it machined. They want a finished component.

ATG can manage the secondary manufacturing work as part of the same supply programme. That can include CNC machining, drilling, turning, milling, surface finishing and painting, depending on the drawing and application.

Take a crusher casting or bearing housing as an example.

ATG can manage the initial casting, machining to the required tolerances, inspection and delivery as one programme. The customer receives a finished part manufactured to the drawing rather than having to coordinate each stage separately.

The same model can be applied across other components. ATG's wider manufacturing capability includes shafts, fabrications, forgings, wear components, drums and rollers, allowing us to support customers that need more than one manufacturing process or component type.

For OEM procurement teams, that can remove a considerable amount of supplier management. It also makes accountability much clearer. If there's a question about the part, the customer speaks to ATG.

Quality Built Into the Process

A good casting isn't judged by how it looks when it leaves the foundry. It has to meet the drawing and perform once it's fitted to the machine. That's particularly important with parts working in tough applications such as crushers, earthmoving equipment and material-processing machinery, where components can be exposed to impact, abrasion and heavy loads.

ATG works with manufacturing partners throughout production to make sure components are being produced against the approved specification. Depending on the project, that can include dimensional inspection, material verification, manufacturing records, sample approval and production inspection.

For new cast components, ATG can also manage prototype and sample qualification before full production starts. That gives the customer a chance to approve the component before committing to volume. It's much cheaper to find a dimensional or manufacturing issue at sample stage than after a container of parts has arrived.

Managing the Supply Chain After Production

Finishing the part at the factory isn't the end of the job. It still has to get to the customer.

ATG manages the logistics process after production, including shipping, export documentation, customs entry, duties and final delivery. We can also work around customers' production requirements, including batch orders, changing schedules and multiple delivery dates.

That gives the OEM one point of contact from drawing through to delivery.

The customer doesn't need to coordinate separate conversations with foundries, machining suppliers, inspectors and freight companies. ATG manages those relationships behind the scenes.

A Complete Castings Supply Solution

For OEMs looking for a new source of castings, a second source for an existing component or better control of an overseas supply chain, ATG provides a complete manufacturing and supply service.

That might be a finish-machined casting, a large structural component, a crusher casting, a shaft, a wear part or a component that combines several manufacturing processes.

We review the part, select and qualify the manufacturing partner, manage tooling and samples where required, oversee production and machining, carry out inspection and organise delivery.

Looking for a better way to source castings, forgings or fully machined components? Send ATG your drawing or specification. Our team will review the requirement, identify the right manufacturing route and manage everything from supplier qualification and production through to inspection, logistics and final delivery.

Talk to ATG about your next component requirement.