Keywords
Citation
(2000), "Prototypes in metal in three days", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772aad.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
Prototypes in metal in three days
Keywords MCP Equipment, Casting
MCP Equipment informs us that metal prototypes as good as the end-product can be produced in three days or fewer by its new end-to-end automatic casting system.
Thought to be the quickest on the market, the Stone company's Metal-Part Casting Process converts masters modelled in wax or rapid-prototyping materials into prototypes in aluminium, brass, bronze, copper, beryllium, magnesium and other metals.
Suitable for service in clean laboratory conditions, the process can reportedly convert models of any complexity from SLA, CNC, LOM, SLS, FDM and any other rapid-prototyping technique.
A silicone-rubber tool made from the master is used to produce a replica in an engineering wax. This phase is carried out in a computer-controlled vacuum-casting machine to ensure precise replication of detail, thin wall sections, intricate profiles, surface finish, etc. Any number of wax castings can be taken from the one mould.
The wax casting is set up with gates and risers - for metal entry - and mounted in a flask in a vacuum mixer, where it is surrounded by an investment slurry.
The wax is melted out and the ceramic heat-treated to form a strong and accurate mould for metal casting. The process can also use sacrificial RP models for this stage, in place of an engineering wax. This, it is believed, can shorten the overall process time from three to two days.
The mould is located in the casting unit and the selected metal is melted and cast into it under vacuum, pressure or gravity, or any combination. Mould and cast metal parts are removed as one and the investment compound is washed-off by high-pressure water.
According to MCP, trials and production use have shown that the MPCP consistently achieves close dimensional accuracy and fine detailing in metal prototypes equal to production components for quality. Believed to be the keenest-priced system available, it is designed to simplify usage, with extensive automation of the process under touchscreen control.
Details available from: MCP Equipment. Tel: +44 (0)1785 815651.