Melting

Before the 1990s, Laroche Foundry melted metal using coal-fired cupola furnaces. In 1989, the company decided to modernize its facility and took the crucial decision to invest two million dollars to purchase two electric furnaces.

Melting by induction furnace

In addition to be better for the environment (electricity instead of coal-fired) the use of an induction furnace is the most cost-effective type of melting process. For any foundry, working with more than one furnace offers many advantages, including uninterrupted production: while furnace A is pouring, furnace B is melting, and once furnace A is empty, furnace B is ready for pouring. Another advantage is that production is not paralyzed should a furnace stop functioning. Each of our furnaces can hold 6000 lbs and can heat cast iron to 1350°C (2460°F) in a little over an hour.

Pouring

Once the melting point is reached, liquid cast iron is poured into a ladle which will, in turn, be used to pour the molten metal into the mold. Depending of the type of alloy desired, various elements may be added to the liquid iron to modify its physical properties.