Solid Modeling by SynthaVision: Means of Reducing Tooling and Unit Cost for Investment Castings

摘要

For many years, users of investment castings have obtained quotations from producers by submitting detailed design drawings. These producers (or suppliers) normally are required to respond with formal quotations within a relatively short time. Many suppliers sub-contract the designing and building of the required wax pattern die and associated casting tooling to various outside tool shops. Past experience indicates that tooling producers may inflate their quoted prices for tooling to cover possible oversights caused by the limited time given to review complex casting designs and to formulate firm tooling quotations. Approximately three years ago, information was acquired on a relatively new developing technology related to a three-dimensional solid modeling program called SynthaVision. While considering possible applications for this new technology, it became apparent that such a visual aid concept might be of some possible cost avoidance benefit in the procurement of precision castings. Therefore, it was decided to actively employ the use of SynthaVision on some new Bendix casting requirements. (ERA citation 09:000970)