Casting a Gigantic 23-Foot Precision-Designed Propeller At 1,800°F!!
We are talking about a propeller, but not just a regular propeller, but a transport ship`s massive propeller. We are talking about a transport ship that goes by the name of Tangier. This is really a gigantic ship which has a gross tonnage of 29445. It mainly transports oil cargo.
source/image: Science Channel
So, you can imagine how big of a propeller the Tangier has. The propeller made for this ship is created to endure a staggering 124 million miles. Having said that, this ship can travel five times the distance to the moon.It takes weeks to cast, buff, and finish the 23-foot precision-designed propeller, made from an alloy of 8 metals.
The process takes up to five days in order the molten mixture to cool from 1,800 Fahrenheit to a firm lump. Afterwards, the next challenge is to get the gigantic propeller out of its cast without inflicting damage to it. In order to make the propeller effective as possible, it is crucial for every surface to be as smooth as it can possibly be.
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For this reason, the foundry workers hoist the propeller into a very complex milling machine.After the metal has cooled, the mold is broken off and the propeller is sent to the milling machine. The machine is computer controlled and spends the next 15 days polishing the gigantic propeller.
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