In the metal manufacturing industry, mechanical properties play a huge role when choosing the right alloy for each job. Throughout casting and machining processes, as well as during the product's useful life, the chosen material will be subject to many external forces. It’s up to the manufacturers to create products that perform as needed every step of the way. By understanding mechanical properties, manufacturing professionals can make the right choices for materials and processes.

MUSKEGON, MI - MAY 27, 2020 – Eagle Alloy is proud to announce our newly completed Multimedia Training Center. This facility will allow us to provide our customers with state-of-the-art training to go along with our plant tours and project discussions. Groups of up to 24* can relax and take in training and introductory presentations by our Sales, Engineering, Quality and Production department staffs. 

Physical properties are an important way of distinguishing one material from another. In the study and application of metallurgy, physical properties are often considered a broader category than mechanical properties, but not all properties overlap. Physical properties are most easily distinguished from mechanical properties by the method of testing. While mechanical properties require forces to be applied to obtain a measurement, physical properties can be measured without changing the material.

Operating as an essential business during the COVID-19 crisis is both an honor and a challenge. While Eagle Group companies have maintained continuous production, we have made a number of changes to our daily operations in order to maximize safety and clearly communicate new policies. Many of the lessons we've learned can be adopted by other manufacturing businesses as they prepare to reopen.

At the Eagle Group, we provide full-service metalcasting and CNC machining from start to finish. Part of our responsibility as a supplier is to estimate part price for each new product. One of the largest line items affecting final part price on any job is tooling. In metalcasting, tooling often comprises patterns used to create molds and cores. In CNC machining, tooling can refer to work holding fixtures, tool holders, cutting tools or tool inserts.

Eagle Alloy, Eagle Precision and Eagle CNC plan to maintain full production capability, even in light of the recent decision by Michigan’s Governor to close all “nonessential” businesses.

Metals are all around us, in the things we use to cook, drive, work, and live. When choosing a metal for a cast product or other specific application, it’s important to make sure that its properties will be suitable for the expected operating conditions.

There’s a big difference between the kind of metal used in a skyscraper and the kind of metal used in a gate valve. Some metals are pure elements, like iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al), but most products are made from alloys, or mixtures of metals. Manufacturers must consider many variables before deciding which alloy to use for a particular product. 

The latest resource from the Eagle Group focuses on CNC machining and high-tech inspection. Our ebook CNC Machining Process Guide dives into the history, current practices and processes of CNC machining and advanced metrology. Perfect for anyone looking for a better understanding of precision machining in the 21st century, our new resource is available now as a free download.

When done right, weld repaired castings are just as structurally and functionally sound as their non-welded counterparts. However, weld repair in steel castings is often misunderstood by casting customers. Some companies simply do not allow weld repair, and others place strict requirements on where weld repair can take place on a part. By better understanding the effects of weld repair on part appearance and functionality, casting customers can benefit from weld repair strategies that optimize cost, production time and part quality.

Design for Manufacturability, or DFM, is an engineering practice that takes into account not just the way a product will look or function, but also how it will be produced. By applying DFM principles to new or existing products, manufacturers can improve product quality while optimizing cost and delivery time.

According to Eagle Alloy CTO, Nic Tarzwell, "DFM is the measure of all the steps involved to produce the component cost effectively while ensuring it meets (or exceeds) expectations of form, fit and function." In order to optimize Design for Manufacturability, the customer and the supplier must work together to determine the best design and process for producing quality-finished products at the least cost.