Investigations for Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Investment Casting: A Case Study

Abstract:

Conventional investment casting is one of the old manufacturing processes. It involves expensive tooling for making sacrificial wax patterns to make ceramic moulds. However, with the emergence of rapid prototyping technologies, now it is possible to make and use plastic patterns instead of wax patterns along with some advantages. In this paper, plastic patterns have been prepared by using fused deposition modeling and used for investment casting process. A case study has been discussed to make a biomedical implant by the hybridization of fused deposition modeling with investment casting. Dimensional accuracy, surface finish and hardness of the casted biomedical implants have been tested and reported.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 808)
• Pages: 89-95
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.808.89
• Online since: December 2014
• Authors: Parlad Kumar*, Rupinder Singh, I.P.S. Ahuja
• Keywords: Casting Patterns, Dimensional Accuracy, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Investment Casting, Rapid Prototyping, Surface Finish

References

[1] A. Rosochwski and A. Matuszak, Rapid tooling: the state of the art, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 106 2000 191-98.

[2] M. Nikzad, S.H. Masood and I. Sbarski, Thermo-mechanical properties of a highly filled polymeric composites for fused deposition modelling, Materials and Design 32 2011 3448-3458.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2011.01.056

[3] P.Y. Greenbaum and S. Khan, Direct investment casting of rapid prototype parts: practical commercial experience", Proceedings of 2nd European Conference on Rapid Prototyping, Nottingham, UK, July 15-16 1993 77-93.

[4] P.M. Dickens, R. Stangroom, M. Greul, B. Holmer, K.K.B. Hon, R. Hovtun, R. Neumann, S. Noeken and D. Wimpenny, Conversion of RP models to investment casting, Rapid Prototyping Journal 1 1995 4-11.

DOI: 10.1108/13552549510104401

[5] C.W. Lee, C.K. Chua, C.M. Cheah, L.H. Tan and C. Feng, Rapid investment casting: direct and indirect approaches via fused deposition modelling, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 23 2004 93-101.

DOI: 10.1007/s00170-003-1694-y

[6] C. Gouldsen and P. Blake, Investment casting using FDM ABS rapid prototype patterns, Information available on [12 June 2011] at: http: /www. ditra. biz/pls/htmldb/TL_PORTAL. tl_portal_utils. download_doc?p_file_id=81. (1998).

[7] M.C. Warner, Metal rapid prototyping methods and case studies for metal casting and tooling, Rapid News 2 1997 1-5.

[8] B. Sushila, K. Karthik and P. Radhakrishnan, Rapid tooling for casting- a case study on application of rapid prototyping processes, Indian Foundry Journal 45 1999 213-16.

[9] C.K. Chua, C. Feng, C.W. Lee and G.Q. Ang, Rapid investment casting: direct and indirect approaches via model maker II, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 25 2005 26-32.

DOI: 10.1007/s00170-004-1865-5

[10] D. Ahn, J.H. Kweon, S. Kwon, J. Song and S. Lee, Representation of surface roughness in fused deposition modeling, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 209 2009 5593-5600.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2009.05.016

[11] E. Grenda, Castle islands worldwide guide to rapid prototyping, available at: http: /home. att. net/~ castleisland/home. htm (2009).

[12] A. Garg, A fuzzy Taguchi approach for improving dimensional accuracy of fused deposition modeling (FDM) built parts, B. Tech. Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT, Rourkela, India (2005).

[13] K. Thrimurthulu, P.M. Pandey and N.V. Reddy, Optimum part deposition orientation in fused deposition modeling, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture 44 2004 585-594.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2003.12.004

[14] R. Singh, Effect of moulding sand on statistically controlled hybrid rapid casting solution for zinc alloys, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology 24 2010 1689-95.

DOI: 10.1007/s12206-010-0523-0

[15] L.M. Galantucci, F. Lavecchia and G. Percoco, Experimental study aiming to enhance the surface finish of fused deposition modeled parts, CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology 58 2010 189-92.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cirp.2009.03.071

[16] P.F. Jacobs, Stereolithography 1993: epoxy resins, improved accuracy & investment casting, Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Rapid Prototyping, Dayton, OH, June 14-17 1993 249-262.