Split case machining
Split case machining
(OP)
I am an engineer at a pump manufacturing company. We are thinking about developing and eventually mass producing horizontal split case pumps (HSC). We currently do not manufacture these and are asking around for advice to establish if it is a worthwhile investment to upgrade our facilities to produce such a pump. We would want to mass produce them as well, possibly at a rate of 2/day.
My main question for any of you who are familiar with these pumps is..... what machinery would be required to machine the castings for these pumps? We will be farming out the castings and machining them ourselves. The castings which would require machining include; top casing, lower casing, bearing housing and impeller.
The general, overall dimensions of the pieces are as follows:
Top Casing: L: W: H:
Bottom Casing: L: W: H: 40"
Bearing Housing: OD: 17"
Impeller: OD: 21"
If you are not familiar with these types of pumps than you probably do not know what these components even look like.
I apologize for the lack of information but at this point we are just fishing for information.
My main question for any of you who are familiar with these pumps is..... what machinery would be required to machine the castings for these pumps? We will be farming out the castings and machining them ourselves. The castings which would require machining include; top casing, lower casing, bearing housing and impeller.
The general, overall dimensions of the pieces are as follows:
Top Casing: L: W: H:
Bottom Casing: L: W: H: 40"
Bearing Housing: OD: 17"
Impeller: OD: 21"
If you are not familiar with these types of pumps than you probably do not know what these components even look like.
I apologize for the lack of information but at this point we are just fishing for information.





RE: Split case machining
Here they are.
Top Casing: L:50" W:47" H:29"
Bottom Casing: L:50" W:47" H:40 40"
Bearing Housing: OD: 17"
Impeller: OD: 21"
RE: Split case machining
Bearing housings can probably be done on a generic CNC mill of modest capacity. Same machine might be used to do the impeller, though a lathe is more traditional.
Once the housing halves are joined, you need to bore surfaces for the shafts, seals, and/or bearings, or to hold the bearing housings. I.e. some kind of long stroke boring machine.
Big machines are very expensive to buy new. Look at surplus machinery sources for sturdy old stuff to repurpose.
Also ask them to help you find a cranky old machinist for hire or rent to help you figure out what combination of machinery will get you started.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Split case machining
RE: Split case machining
A lot of that applies to any pump type, but especially with HSC you are really putting all your eggs in one basket (upper/lower case castings.) If you are mass producing and won't suffer delays while repairing or remachining castings then it might work out, just make sure you have plenty of physical space and weld/machine time to make the repairs.
RE: Split case machining
Are you in the U.S.?? If so, I sure hope you have these pumps dedicated to a captive market, or a very rich owner that doesn't care about losing money. Without either of these it is hard to imagine kicking off a new "homebuilt" line of competitive splitcases. The pumps currently coming out of India, China, Mexico, etc. are incredibly cheaper than anything built here. DOn't know where you are located, but in my town we can't find machinists worth their while for less than $60/hr.
RE: Split case machining
We do have a dedicated customer for these pumps.
Thanks for all the info everyone!