5. Foundry process controls

5.1 Receiving supplies

Depending on the technique employed and the alloys used, more than a third of the foundry's sales are spent on external supplies. This ratio, which does not include energy expenditure (coke, gas, electricity, fuel oil, etc.) throughout the foundry process, underlines the importance of this cost item. Furthermore, the procedures governing incoming inspection of these supplies have a real influence on the quality of the castings produced. A quality assurance policy, similar to that which standardizes relations between the foundry and its customers, is now being developed between the foundry and its suppliers.