The origins of metal casting date back at least 5,000 years. However, the process has evolved considerably over the years with the discovery of different metals and the advancement of technology. At Dixon®, we use two main casting methods to create metal parts; sand casting and investment casting. Though both processes include pouring molten metal into a mold to create metal parts, there are significant differences between them. Keep reading to learn about these casting processes and their differences.

Dixon entered the industrial swivel market in 1985 when it acquired Le-Hi Andrews. Over the years, working with our engineers, foundry, and extensive CNC machine shop, we have refined and expanded our swivel product line to better meet the needs of our customers.

Dry disconnect couplings are designed for the quick and spill-free connection and disconnection of hoses and pipelines when transferring expensive hazardous product that is costly to clean up, reprocess, or dispose of. Dry disconnects are used by producers of ink, adhesives, fatty acids, pharmaceuticals, liquid soaps, petroleum, chemicals, agriculture, and a wide variety of caustic substances and specialty acids.

From doing a load of laundry to turning up the heat in your home, everyday life wouldn’t be the same without valves. We can trace the origin of the valve back to the Romans who regulated the flow of water using branches, tree trunks, and stones. They were the first to create anything resembling a formal canal system — and are therefore credited with creating the valve.

If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic on the Capital Beltway around Washington D.C., you know how many cars, trucks, and motorcycles depend on fuel for their daily commute — about 267,000 per day to be exact for that region. So, when fuel shortages occur, like in the 1970s, energy policy and alternate fuel sources become hotly debated issues. Today, industry experts are naming hydrogen as the fuel of the future.

At Dixon®, we provide a wide range of interactive tools on our website to help our customers consider the many factors that can impact the best selection and use of our products. One of our most utilized tools is our end force calculator. Keep reading to learn more about this tool and how it's used.