VA Technology on Designing Modern US Shellrooms

For almost 40 years, VA Technology has been manufacturing shellroom systems for the North American investment casting industry. As foundries across the region face growing pressure to modernise, minimise labour dependency and cut operational costs, VA Technology USA is leading the change by supporting manufacturers with the design and manufacture of shellroom equipment to equip brand-new, state-of-the-art shellroom facilities from the ground up.

Over the past five years, the push for industrial automation has accelerated rapidly. Technical Managers are increasingly moving away from manual setups in favour of smart manufacturing environments that guarantee consistent, high-quality ceramic shells. Investing in a new shellroom is a major milestone for any foundry. To ensure long-term success, VA Technology takes a collaborative, consultative approach. Backed by a team of over 100 specialised engineers, we conduct comprehensive design reviews to tailor shellroom systems to our customers’ production requirements.

“Our US business has shown significant growth in recent years, a testament to the customer relationships we have built over three decades,” says Joey Murphy, General Manager: Sales. “From commercial foundries to aerospace OEMs, we work closely with every customer to deliver the exact solution they require. Getting a new shellroom right from day one is crucial for meeting production goals and securing a strong return on investment.”

Shellroom Systems Built for the Future

VA Technology shellroom systems are engineered to operate seamlessly in both manual and fully automated modes. Our design engineers work around production requirements to design shellroom systems with the option to capture data needed for process management. When building a new facility, integrating these process management systems can support the move towards smarter manufacturing;

• IC-Series Robots: Engineered on trusted platforms, including Kawasaki, FANUC, KUKA, and ABB, and designed specifically to withstand the demanding environments of investment casting.
• IC-Crystal® Shell Management System: Proprietary software that integrates directly with shellroom equipment, offering automated controls and real-time data monitoring.
• Slurry Control Systems: Precise control of all slurry KPV’s such as slurry tank level, viscosity, pH, and temperature for maximum process reliability.
• Automated Dosing Systems: Self-contained units featuring consistent discharge rates, variable discharge timing, and transparent viewing windows.
• Automated Weighing & Sanding Systems: Integrated weighing for rainfall sanders, paired with sand elevators and hoppers to streamline sand loading.