Eliminating Prototype Tooling in Metal Casting Yields a Seamless Transition from CAD to Manufacturing - a Case Study

摘要

Direct Shell production Casting (DSPC®), is a rapid manufacturing process dedicated to the production of functional cast metal parts. DSPC works by producing ceramic casting molds, with integral cores, directly from CAD files, thereby eliminating the need for patterns and core boxes. This enables engineers to exploit multiple design iterations concurrently (including testing engine heads and blocks cast in different alloys), consequently expediting the design phase.rnDSPC has essentially taken rapid prototyping to the next step. DSPC not only allows engineers to see and touch their design, but also to test it functionally in real life situations within a few days of design completion. Once the part is tested and approved, production tooling (permanent molds, patterns or dies and core-boxes) can be generated from the CAD file of the approved part using DSPC technology. Subsequently combining DSPC with conventional casting and CNC machining results in a smooth transition from computer aided design to production.