Free form fabrication of silica moulds for aluminium casting by stereolithography

Abstract

Purpose

In this work, the production of ceramic moulds for aluminium casting using a stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

Suspensions of silica powders in a photoreactive resin were used in a standard SLA equipment in order to build green parts. SLA, SLA‐250 (3D System, Valencia, CA) was modified in order to fabricate a ceramic green parts.

Findings

A characterization of mechanical properties of the material samples was performed. Finally, moulds for aluminium casting were obtained either using the stereolithographic part as a green mould, either by pyrolisis of the organic binder and subsequent sintering at high temperature.

Research limitations/implications

Future investigations will be devoted to optimise the process and the mechanical performances of the sintered parts, improving the rheological properties of suspensions and reducing the building time.

Originality/value

This is a novel work on the production of ceramic moulds for aluminium casting using a SLA.

Citation

Esposito Corcione, C., Montagna, F., Greco, A., Licciulli, A. and Maffezzoli, A. (2006), "Free form fabrication of silica moulds for aluminium casting by stereolithography", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 184-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540610682688