Study On The Application Of Rapid Prototyping Technology On Investment Casting

The process of investment casting(IC) is long and time-consuming. It is very important to shorten its time for launching a new product to the market. As modern industry develops, the market needs trend to expend in customized single casting, small- and medium-quantity production. Conventional IC process can't satisfy such needs. The invention of rapid prototyping (RP) technology provides practical conditions for solving the problems of IC. Some technologies, especially the direct rapid sacrificial patterns producing and rapid tooling (RT) technology, can dramatically reduce the time of developing new production. Thus RP will enable the IC to swiftly respond to the market needs.This paper mainly concern about the application of SLS RP technology in IC. The IC solutions of small-quantity production are studied. Some conclusions of RT and using RT to produce sacrificial patterns are made. The study includes: (1) The study of process improvement to increase SLS accuracy. Two methods are presented, using support structure and mixed powder. (2) The study of the properties of Sn-Bi Fused alloy as sacrificial pattern material. (3) Apply CATIA to design the rapid tool. (4) RT and using RT to produce sacrificial patterns based on SLS. There are three methods: Apply direct rapid tooling method to produce rapid mould, and use this mould to produce sacrificial patterns; The process of making silicone rubber mould and use silicone rubber mould to produce sacrificial patterns; The process of producing metallic mould by sand casting.The paper presents that SLS RP technology and IC can be combined perfectly, which will solve the problems of small-quantity production.