Rapid casting technology based on selective laser sintering

Selective laser sintering(SLS),as a kind of additive manufacturing technology,which uses a laser beam to scan and heat powder material layer by layer to form parts(models),is widely used in the field of casting,mainly for preparing casting coated sand cores,investment casting patterns,etc.The SLS technique facilitates rapid casting and shortens the casting production periods by eliminating mold preparation.In this study,we reached conclusions for the basic principles and characteristics of SLS methods,and focused on the research status,key technology and development trend of SLS in the fields of forming coated sand-casting molds and investment casting patterns.

Binder jetting 3D printing process optimization for rapid casting of green parts with high tensile strength

Binder jetting 3D printing is a rapid,cost effective,and efficient moulding/core making process,which can be applied to a large variety of materials.However,it exhibits a relatively low green-part strength.This may cause the collapse of the printed parts during de-caking and the pick-up procedure,especially in the case of small-scale structures,such as thin walls,tips,and channels.In this work,polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)was used as the additive in coated sand powder.By exploiting the binding effect between the two composites(thermoplastic phenolic resin and PVA)triggered by the binder,bonding necks firmly form among the sand particles,improving the green-part strength of the coated sand printed parts.Experiments based on the Taguchi method were used to investigate the relationship between the process parameters and the green-part tensile strength.The following set of optimal process parameters was identified:50wt.%alcoholicity of the binder,75%binder saturation,0.36 mm layer thickness and 4.5wt.%PVA content.Further,the effect of such parameters on the green-part tensile strength was determined via statistical analysis.The green part of an engine cylinder head sand pattern with complex cavity structures was printed,and the green-part tensile strength reached 2.31 MPa.Moreover,the ZL301 aluminum alloy impeller shape casting was prepared using sand molds printed with the optimal process parameters.The results confirm that the proposed binder jetting 3D printing process can guarantee the integrity of the printed green parts and of small-size structures during de-caking and the pick-up procedure.Furthermore,the casting made from the printed sand molds exhibits a relatively high quality.

The role and impact of 3D printing technologies in casting

3D printing is such a magical technology that it extends into almost every sector relating to manufacturing, not to mention casting production. In this paper, the past, present and future of 3D printing in the foundry sector are profoundly reviewed. 3D printing has the potential to supplement or partially replace the casting method. Today, some castings can be directly printed by metal powders, for example, titanium alloys, nickel alloys and steel parts. Meanwhile, 3D printing has found an unique position in other casting aspects as well, such as printing the wax pattern, ceramic shell, sand core, sand mould, etc. Most importantly, 3D printing is not just a manufacturing method, it will also revolutionize the design of products, assemblies and parts, such as castings, patterns, cores, moulds and shells in casting production. The solid structure of castings and moulds will be redesigned in future into truss or spatially open and skeleton structures. This kind of revolution is just sprouting, but it will bring unimaginable impact on manufacturing including casting production. Nobody doubts the potential of 3D printing technologies in manufacturing, but they do have limitations and drawbacks.

A review of additive manufacturing technology and its application to foundry in China

The application of additive manufacturing technology is one of the main approaches to achieving the rapid casting.Additive manufacturing technology can directly prepare casting molds(cores)with no need of patterns,and quickly cast complex castings.The combination of additive manufacturing and traditional casting technology can break the constraint of traditional casting technology,improve casting flexibility,and ameliorate the working environment.Besides,additive manufacturing promotes the realization of"free casting",greatly simplifying the processing procedures and shortening the manufacturing cycle.This paper summarizes the basic principle of additive manufacturing technology and its development situation domestically and overseas,mainly focusing on the development status of several main additive manufacturing technologies applicable to the foundry field,including three-dimensional printing,selective laser sintering,stereolithography,layered extrusion forming,etc.Finally,the future development trend of additive manufacturing technology in the foundry field is prospected.