Prediction of Shell Fracture in Shell Manufacturing Using Photo-solidified Polymer as Model Material

摘要

In precision casting where production is of comparatively small scale, the use of photo-solidified polymer models in place of conventional lost-wax models can be recommended. In precision casting using photo-solidified polymer models by the same process as that using wax models, the mold may fracture due to thermal stress arising in the baking process where the model is melted and evaporated, because polymer has higher rigidity than wax. The polymer baking process was simulated numerically to predict the occurrence of mold fracture and experiments were conducted to verify the prediction. The results confirmed that there exists consistency between the fracture prediction and crack phenomenon. Improved productivity and reliability are therefore greatly expected with the application of this technique using photo-solidified polymer models to mold manufacturing for precision casting.