Posts Tagged ‘China’

The History of Sterling Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry has been around for a long time and has been enjoyed by generation after generation since as far back as 5000 B.C. According to historical investigations and reports Egyptians used silver for jewelry, ceremonial ornamentation, and for bartering and tombs have been discovered containing silver that dated back as far as 2900 B.C.

Although there are many modern technological ways to work silver today this wasn’t the case back when silver first began to be used to make jewelry. At the time the process for working jewelry involved either the use of a hammer to get the desired design and look or casting and pouring silver into the desired shape for a piece of jewelry. A third way that silver was worked into silver jewelry in ancient time was through filigree techniques. This is the process of taking thin silver and twisting it and wrapping it into intricate designs that can be held together by soldering.

All of these ways that were once used to work silver provide for a fairly rough, simple jewelry but it just goes to shoe how long individuals have been enjoying the beauty of silver and wearing it to make a fashion statement or as a sign of wealth. The beauty of the low cost precious metal has not been lost on a generation yet to date. You can find gorgeous pieces from all different points in history and from all different regions of the world.

Many Indian tribes used silver to make jewelry. Often you will see these pieces around still today; many of these pieces also have turquoise in them. Silver and turquoise go beautifully together and make for a lovely piece of jewelry. The contrast between the two colors is brilliant.

Another part of the world that is known for their use of silver is Mexico. Silver pieces made in Mexico have a wide selection of stones in them. These stones range from inexpensive coral, which is a beautiful red color, to a pricier boulder opal, which has a brilliant mixture of colors, to a simple emerald with all of its elegant beauty.

Other parts of the world that silver comes from include Peru, Chile, China, Poland, and Australia. All of these countries have been mining silver for many years with Mexico and Peru being the longest, mining silver dating back as far as 1546. And the silver that these countries mine is not only useful for jewelry but for other things as well, such as cutlery, and heat conductors.

Silver jewelry has been a profitable industry for many, many years and from all indications it appears that the inexpensive precious metal will continue to be popular in future generations too. Silver jewelry will not loose its elegance and simplicity from over years that can be worn anytime we want and for that may be compared with gold jewelry. I have a feeling that many pieces from the past will stick around to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Jarrie Wilson is the manager of mexican silver jewelry site, 925wholesale.com. For information about sterling silver jewelry visit silver jewelry for any occasion..

Die Casting Companies

Made with all of the charm of antique toys, bronze sculpture experts are able to produce whimsical yet durable objects of art. From reproductions of animals, to wall art, to wine stopper, cast bronze decorative items remain preferred through time.

Come visit us right here for more Metal Casting Info and get two Metal Casting Ebooks Die Casting Companies.
http://www.metalcastingzone.com/

Bronze was first used roughly 5000 years back in China to create items for ancestral worship. The Greeks made life sized figures, weapons, and art. The Egyptians used cast bronze to make thousands of small mannequins. Now artists use it to make cast bronze metal toys, banks, wine stoppers, candlesticks, and figures.

An amalgamate of tin and copper, bronze was discovered better to melt, it hardened stronger than copper and was more immune to corrosion than iron. Cast bronze and aluminum decorative sculpture items are way more common now, as present day artist all other metals for decorative interest, yet retain the positive qualities of the bronze.

Bronze is the hottest metal used to make sculptures. It was employed in the art foundries in Thailand, where it was valued for its color. Cast bronze has a natural patina, the green and blue coming from the copper compounds. Today cast bronze metal horses, turtles, frogs, bears and other animals wear the soft colours of these copper compounds.

Due to its durability, bronze has been valued thru the ages. Bronze cannons were some of the first things ransacked from shipwrecks due to their value. Cast bronze sculptured decorative items were frequently taken by warring states to be softened into weapons or life size statues of the new leaders of government.

luckily today bronze figures, toys, candlesticks and other artwork are available to those looking for valuable, durable, and attractive metal objects. Bronze sculpture artists and experts produce quality work that’s available from the art foundry itself or in art studios.

Come visit us right here for more Metal Casting Info and get two Metal Casting Ebooks Die Casting Companies.
http://www.metalcastingzone.com/

Come visit us right here for more Metal Casting Info and get two Metal Casting Ebooks Die Casting Companies.
http://www.metalcastingzone.com/

Casting Companies

What is the history behind investment casting?

We are offering Investment casting production.Investment casting, which is also known as the “lost wax investment casting ” process, traces its roots to the Sang Dynasty in China from 1766 B.C. to 1122 B.C. The method was brought into modern industrial use when American manufacturers applied investment casting to make high quality military parts during World War II. It was found practical for many wartime needs – and during the postwar period it expanded into many non-aircraft applications. Today, investment casting is recognized and used worldwide as a technique for producing close-tolerance metal parts at highly competitive costs.

Ningbo KaiSheng Casting& Machining Manufacturer is a specialized manufacturer and a exporter of various casting parts and machining parts .
Ningbo KaiSheng is located in Ningbo, the famous port city in China. The factory was founded in 1998, over the years , we have grown from 70 workers to 250 ,from only one foundry to three foundries and a machining center ,and we are still growing. We will satisfied the more and more requirements of your mechanical component . The output of aluminum casting is 1000 tons per year, iron casting is 300 tons,and the other material casting is about 1000 tons. We believe that the outputs will be  much more next year.

Our Advantage is the separation of the foundry , different foundry for different material,This process is the best of the parts’quality . Also, we have a machining center . We have a strong commitment on service, quality, and innovation. Our commitment begins with using the best available equipment, materials, people, processes, and technology to manufacture your investment casting,sand casting,die casting and machining components. Our goal is to produce on time, cost effective.
The products refer to the industries of automobile, Marine, valve and pipe fittings, construction, engineering, mining machinery, railway,hardwares, power transmission line as well as non magnetic stainless steel castings in Electronics field. The producta are exported to U.S.A, European countries, North of Africa,southeast of Asian.
Ningbo kaisheng is dedicated to supply you excellent service and quality.

Collecting Diecast Toys–a Hobby for All Ages

Diecast toy vehicles were first produced in England and the USA in the early 1900s. This was the beginning of what was to become one of the most popular toys ever. Diecast toys are now collected by tens of thousands of people,both children and adults,all over the world.

The early diecast models were very simple,featuring just a painted metal body with no interior fittings whatsoever.They were unfortunately made from low grade cast metal alloys which in most cases did not stand the test of time.These low quality alloys become brittle as they age and gradually deteriorate and crumble. As a result of this early die cast toys from the first quarter of the twentieth century are quite scarce today.

Before very long however these early diecast toy makers realised that there was a really good market for toy vehicles. Cars,trucks,airplanes miniature farm equipment,and many other models,were widely produced by a number of manufacturers. As demand grew the quality of materials used to make the toys was improved. Increased attention to detail also became the rule as manufacturers vied for more sales.

In the early 1930s Modelled Miniatures were introduced. These 1/43 scale miniature vehicles were designed for use with model train set layouts. Soon they became popular as a collectible,in their own right,and were known as Dinky Toys.

The height of popularity for Dinky Toy diecast model vehicles came in the 1950s and 60s. They were a fairly basic low detail model but were extremely popular.The flashy big American cars seen on TV shows,which began in the 1950s,became very desirable Dinky Toys and outsold the more staid small English cars of the time.

Dinky toys were made into the 1970s when they died out mainly due to the competition from Mattel Hot Wheels. Vintage Dinky Toys today are a much in demand collectible and some of the scarcer models fetch extremely high prices.

The well known Lesney Matchbox cars started production in England in 1947 and thus began a new trend in diecast models. In 1953 Lesney made a miniature diecast model of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation coach complete with horses. This model was a huge success and more than a million were sold.

The Lesney Matchbox cars were produced in huge numbers with 75 different vehicles in each line. This gave collectors an immense variety of models to collect.

The Corgi line of diecast vehicles was introduced by Mettoy in the 1950s. These were also very successful. One of the big reasons for their success was that these cars had exceptional attention to interior fittings. They had detailed interior decor. They were even fitted with clear plastic windows. These very detailed miniatures vehicles were a big hit with collectors.

In 1968 Mattel introduced Hot Wheels cars with an initial line of 16 vehicles. These early Hotwheels vehicles all had a red line around the side of the tires. This led to their becoming known to collectors as Red Line Hot Wheels models. The initial sixteen models with which the line began are now known to collectors as the “Sweet Sixteen” and are much in demand.

Hot wheels vehicles are collected around the world by rabid collectors and were a huge success story for Mattel. They continue in production at the present time.

There are now hundreds of different companies offering diecast toys to collectors. They are manufactured in Taiwan,Korea,China, and other countries around the world. High quality and attention to detail are a must if a diecast toy is to be a success as a collectible. Diecast toys made around the world are now mostly of very good quality.

Want to know where you can find out a lot more about diecast toys and where to buy them at bargain prices? You will find all the info and a lot more besides at our website=> Toys For Sale

Gravity Casting Information, Gravity Die Casting, and Gravity Casting Information

Metal Casting
Kent Kelin asked:


Metal Casting is more than just an excuse to play with molten metal it is actually a great way to create art and complicated pieces of machinery or other items that would otherwise be nearly impossible to make. Metal Casting is really a great way to save money…while playing with molten metal. The reason that Metal Casting has survived the test of time is a matter or efficiency. Some of the earliest casting examples have been found in China dating back thousands and thousands of years. In fact every major civilization from the Egyptians to the Romans practiced metal casting. This skill came back into vogue during the Renaissance and has continued to advance and evolve from there. While Sand Casting is the most popular casting process there are many, many more processes available to the backyard foundries. Not everyone is going to be casting heavy pieces like engine parts or cast their own motorcycles. So for those that just want to make decorative pieces you will not be using the same casting process as these heavy duty casters.  For artists creating small scale statues or embellishes and for hobbyists that need a decorative touch to their model plane or boat might want to consider using gravity casting for their needs. Gravity casting seems to be especially useful when dealing with aluminum and other light alloys. The basic idea behind this casting process is pretty much exactly what the name suggests. The metal is introduced into the mold by the force of gravity. Most other casting process either use natural pressure difference like the kind in certain sand casting procedures or they use forced pressure like in centrifugal casting to get the molten metal into the mold.  One of the most common uses for gravity casting is when permanent molds are going to be used. Also called a die, the permanent mold is really only economical for those planning on using the same mold numerous times and will need to keep the quality at a constant level. While some temporary molds can be repeatedly used the quality of the finished product will begin to suffer over time. With die molds the quality will remain the same. Die molds should be seen as an investment. Yes, they will be more costly then other molds; however they will outlast cheaper options for molds. With Permanent molds, they are created using cast iron, steel, and other metals. Gravity casting is used for the permanent mold process with pleasing results. Gravity casting is usually used when the finished product is more visually based then structurally based which is why this method is a favorite of artists and even some jewelers. The loss of strength is due to the lack of pressure used in this process. For those that need the strength but still want to use gravity casting, more of the molten metal will need to be used which will increase the weight. Relying on gravity will take patience, although it will be needed for larger products. If you have never tried gravity casting then you should, because you just may be surprised by what such a simple thing like gravity can create. For the sake of humor, make an apple and see what happens.

Home Metal Casting

Art Casting Information and the Truth Behind Artistic Casting

Metal Casting
Kent Kelin asked:


Art casting is an ancient method of creating statues and sculptures that has been in practice in Meso-America, China, and Ancient Egypt since 2000 BC. The Greeks practiced it, so did the Romans, and pretty much any civilization with a strong interest in art. Bronze is an alloy of tin and copper that has been used to make weapons and sculptures since its discovery by man. Bronze is able to fill in the fine detail of molds making it very desirable to artists. When art casting, bronze is the alloy of choice since it is both beautiful and easy to work with. There are few examples of bronze statues left from antiquity since the alloy became scarce and many of the statues were melted down for weapons and other sculptures usually for new emperors or victors. The Lost Wax Casting process is the preferred method used when art casting. This process was used in ancient times to create bronze items. Small foundries like the type found in backyards, personnel workshops, and garages are able to use the Lost Wax Casting process with a certain amount of professionalism. Commercial foundries and professional art companies use the Lost Wax Casting process as well to create custom items and monuments. The process remains, essentially, the same since the ancient craftsmen who first pioneered the method. When used in commercial manufacturing or jewelry making, the Lost Wax Casting process is called Investment Casting. Art casting is one of the more enjoyable reasons to fire up the furnace and get into metal casting. While most think metal casting to be strictly limited to hobbyist and historical re-enactors, casting is a popular skill and craft used by a wide range of people for varying reasons. Artists see the need to have metal casting skills as it allows the artists to have direct control over the process instead of out sourcing it to a commercial foundry. Commercial foundries that specialize in custom pieces will often charge outrageous prices for their services. Art casting on your own is often times economical and just smart. The Lost Wax Casting process is rather simple when compared to other casting methods but it can be time consuming and attention to detail is important. The artists will start with an original piece sculpted from wax. The original can be made of other substances like clay or even metal but wax seems to be the easiest to work with. The original will be used to make the mold. If the piece to be cast is large, multiple molds will be needed. This is common in art casting and completely possible with the use of shims and keys that will allow placing the pieces together after the casting process easier. Most molds will be made out of latex or other materials to help transfer the fine detail into the mold cavity. The original is often destroyed during the mold making process upon removal. Molten wax is poured into the mold until the desired thickness is achieved.  When dry, this wax copy is removed and chased which rids the piece of imperfections and is used to combine the pieces.  You will place paths for the molten metal on the wax copy.  You will also place a cup or funnel at the top of the copy. This process is called spruing and is done in wax. A ceramic shell is placed around the copy. The shell isn’t really ceramic but a sand and liquid silica combination.  You will repeat this step until the shell is thick enough for the piece. You will then heat the item which will melt the wax inside. The wax runs out of the shell through the paths placed during spruing.  Then comes the part for the molten bronze. The bronze is poured into the top of the hollow shell. When cool you are going to remove the shell carefully to reveal the finished product. The bronze sculpture is chased, painted, and finished up however the artists choose. Art casting can be done with any metal or alloy. If you are going to use the Lost Wax Casting process then you do not have to stick with bronze. Try other metals until you receive the perfect look for your piece.

Metal Casting Forum

Metal Casting Furnaces and Metal Casting Furnace Types Described

Metal Casting
Kent Kelin asked:


There are several types of casting furnaces which include Electric Arc furnaces, Blast furnaces, Cornwall Iron Furnace, etc. Here’s a quick review of some of them.

Electric Arc Furnace: This furnace can be described as a furnace heating charged materials by the way of an electric arc. These furnaces exist in all the sizes-right, from the smallest one having a capacity of around 1 ton to the largest one having a capacity of 400 tons. The former one is used in foundries to produce cast iron products, whereas the latter one is used for secondary steel making. The ones used by dentists and in research laboratories might be having capacity of a few grams only. The electric arc furnace can have temperatures risen up to 1800 Celsius. The first electric furnaces came into being in 1907, at the hands of Paul Heroult of French origin. The commercial part of these furnaces was established in the United States of America. In the beginning, the specialty product used in the making of spring steel and machine tools was electric steel. Calcium Carbide was also prepared in these arc furnaces. It (calcium carbide) was used in carbide lamps.

This furnace comprises of a refractory-lined vessel, normally water-cooled in huge sizes, having a covering of a retractable roof, through which the entry of graphite electrodes takes place. They might be one or many in number. The furnace is divided into 3 sections: the shell, consisting of lower steel bowl and sidewalls, the hearth, consisting of refractory lining the lower bowl, and the roof, that can be water-cooled or refractory-lined, and can easily be shaped into a spherical section or conical section (frustum). A refractory delta is also supported by the roof at its center, by the way of which graphite electrodes make an entry.

The process of operation starts with delivery of scrap metal to scrap bay which is located adjoining melt shop. After that, the loading of scrap into huge buckets or baskets takes place. The next step is to carry this basket to the melt shop. The charging takes place here. After the completion of charging, let the electrodes be allowed to enter and placed onto scrap. This causes the arc to be struck. Lower voltage is preferred for this part (of operation) to provide protection to the walls and roof against arc damage and excessive heat. After having the electrodes reached the heavy melt, shielding of arcs by scrap takes place. This enables a rapid formation of molten pool, thereby decreasing tap-to-tap times. Oxygen is also allowed to enter.

Blast Furnace: It can be referred to as a kind of metallurgical furnace, through which the process of smelting takes place. This produces metals, normally iron. These furnaces trace their origin to China (around 500 BC). They were also found in Belgium and England later. They do not have any special mode of operation. The metals get melted by heating only. Generally, iron is melted in these furnaces. The chemical reaction can be explained as follows:

Fe2O3 + 3CO -> 2Fe + 3CO2

Bronze Metal Casting