3D Printer

You can print your 3D CAD model directly in wax on this printer and use it as the master to create the investment casting mold.. read more here : http://www.deskeng.com/articles/aaamee.htm

Hi sridhar..

Thank you for your reply,but how much is that reliable..?Because i had contact one dealer of solidscape.com which is also a manufacturer of Wax Printer, but he said it's not feasible for Engineering solutins.So i m really worried about this Wax printer. Are you using it practically or you have just an information about this things.

i regret i have no first-hand experience reg investment casting a wax 3D model. If your investment casting supplier has any experience on this, well and good, he can help you. If not, you can tie-up a joint project with all three of you chipping in a investing in a small trial, see how it goes.

i have done a similar exercise with CMTI Bangalore on their Rapid Tooling machine.

Good luck, keep me posted how it comes out.

Thanks..n yes i will let u knw every update i m getting regarding this thing.And i am keen to know that what exactly u had done with CMTI...? Like you had became a service proivder for their new rapid prototyping needs...or somethng else.And one more thing are currently using any 3D printer..?

i was heading the GE Technology Center at Bangalore till retirement. i think in the year 2000, we needed about 50 moulded rotors made from 30% glass-filled Nylon 4/6. We needed them very quickly. CMTI had just commissioned their EOSINT rapid tooling machine, which could produce core and cavity for us. But it was not proven. So we did a joint project with a gentleman's understanding that if things don't work out, we will both share the cost of failure. Fortunately it worked out, the product is selling and performing very well i understand.

Now i am a consultant, so i get involved sometimes in the RP activity. Not much though. There are many suppliers all over the country now.

That's good idea of avoiding risk..i need to think on it.But presently i am workin on how i can use 3d printer for investment casting purpose..Do u have any idea about this thing...?

Investment casting implies that you do not have to do any machining afterwards. i have seen a turbine impeller with a complex aerodynamic shape as cast, no need for finishing on the blade area. i don't know if the 3D wax printer can produce a wax model to that precision. So, maybe if you are in a what-if prototyping mode, this may be ok, may need some machining.

And you get only one wax model. Is that enough numbers for you ?

i regret i have no first-hand experience. i am surprised that many others have not given their views here. There are many experts on RPT and Investment casting on CR4.

You print either a master pattern in printable plastic and make a wax mould in the normal way, or you miss out one stage and directly print the mould cavity for the wax in two halves. Then you cast the wax into the mould. This enables you to make many casings without tying up your printer. Which method you choose will depend on the detail you require on the finished product. A plastic master can be hand finished to any degree of polish. A cast mould would be much harder to doctor, but is quicker for one offs.

Thanks buddy..

I also thought the same way u thought...bt there are some obstacals...

1) If i m printing a master pattern, then according to me printing a master pattern for a high production is not feasible with 3d printer.

2) And the second option is much suitable but i had asked industry persons,they said generally cavity is made up of aluminium n nt the other material like iron or other which is cheaper than aluminium,may b bcoz cavity owner may need it permanent pattern without gettin cavity damaged.

But i think aluminiun cavity can be replaced if cavity made up of plastic is much cheaper.So plz guide me if u hav any experience on producing cavity and its cost.

Sorry but I can't be of much help with relative pricing. We only use 3D printing for mock-ups to demonstrate a product to the client. All of our high quantity investment casting items are very simple, and it is cheaper for us the get mould cavities CNC machined directly into steel. You already have CAD CAM files if you can print, so compare that option as well.

Okay..bt i think there is space for businees if we can find some solution.Anyways which machine are u using nw..? And you mean to say printing an ABS cavity is costly than CNC machined cavity..?

I was an Applications Engineer with 3D Systems for 3 years back in the 90's, selling and supporting their stereolithography systems. Those three years started right when 3D Systems introduced the product.

During that time we worked heavily with Pratt & Whitney to develop uv reactive resins that would be useful for turbine blade lost wax casting. The stereolithography system was more than precise enough for the process.

Can't speak for any of the other 3d printing systems as I've not worked with any of them.

Hooker