Product category:
Rapid Prototyping
News Release from: WCM Europe | Subject: Rapid casting process
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 22 June 2006
Rapid casting process gets it right
first time
A radical new casting process is producing near net shape production intent castings with no tooling and in lead times reduced from weeks to days.
A radical new casting process is producing near net shape production intent castings with no tooling and in lead times reduced from weeks to days The process, developed by WCM Europe in Essex, is transforming the cast component development process for manufacturers and foundries alike as they experience the possibilities of both reduced project cost and lead times
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 3 Sep 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"The process brings together the four key requirements of the components development process", said Kevin Smith Director at WCM.
"Near net shape is vital because it reduces the cost and time of machining".
"Production intent standard material means that the components we produce can be put through full testing procedures prior to hard tooling development".
"Flexibility enables an infinite number of design changes with no tooling modification".
"And speed means the whole process can be reduced to days rather than weeks".
Manufacturing direct from CAD files using in-house developed rapid manufacturing techniques the WCM process produces castings with characteristics within 3% of pressure diecast parts even on wall thicknesses of under 1mm, enabling their use in all build phases of a project.
This also means that the process can be used to produce short run production parts while the hard tooling is being manufactured.
With lead times from CAD files to finished casting supply of 7 days for inlet/exhaust manifolds, brackets and turbo housings for example, and only 20 days for more complex parts such as cylinder heads, project time is reduced significantly.
"The process brings considerable benefits to the diecaster as they can offer their customers the ability to test production intent castings prior to tooling ensuring the tooling an component is 'right first time'", concluded Smith.
"We have a proven track record working with foundries to reduce their development cost and time as well as direct to customers ranging from small manufacturers to some of the world's leading OEMs".
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