Precision Casting
For the further or new development of various investment casting processes, a wide range of plant technology is in use; including wax spraying, sanding and embedding equipment, a manually operated devesting plant, a multi-wave vacuum casting plant based on the Bridgman principle of the type VIM IC 5 S from ALD. Key data of this plant are casting weights from 1.5kg to 50kg, casting and heating temperatures of 1700°C and maximum mold shell dimensions of 600mm in diameter and 750mm in height. This new equipment provides improved analysis capabilities for the individual process steps, process parameters and solidification sequences, thus offering new possibilities for microstructure control. The increased process understanding and the high manufacturing flexibility allow a secured industrial suitability of the process. With this equipment, research can be carried out on state-of-the-art investment casting processes. Process development includes all process steps: Wax pattern production, molding material development, production of ceramic mold shells, alloy development and casting technology. Process development includes, for example, work on the latest fiber-reinforced materials as well as modern superalloys and other high-performance materials. In addition, process development can be accompanied by simulations at any time.