3D Printing of Prototype Moulds

3D Printing: Prototype Mould Production

3D printed prototype pattern for a ventilation system component to be cast in LG4 Leaded Gunmetal

Green sand casting relies on the production of a pattern which is used to create a mould. The casting process itself is reasonably straight-forward but fabricating the patterns is often difficult and carried out by highly skilled patternmakers which is time-consuming and expensive. Prototyping of the cast component is required to ensure final dimensions are achieved and casting defects are eliminated.

NovaCast is at the forefront of the metal casting industry in employing 3D printing in the production of prototype patterns in its non-ferrous sand casting process. The technology has emerged as a significant additive manufacturing process in recent years, particularly in rapid prototyping and short-run production of complex geometric shapes.

NovaCast uses the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, which integrates seamlessly with its 3D Modelling and Casting Simulation software to produce a loose pattern for prototyping of cast components. Employing the latest technology in this way allows NovaCast to reduce both costs and lead times.

3D Printed Prototype: Bike-share locking mechanism 1

3D Printed Prototype: Bike-share locking mechanism 2

3D Printed Prototype: Bike-share locking mechanism 3

To discuss your requirements, call a member of NovaCast’s team on +44 (0) 1225 707466, send us a message here or email sales@novacast.co.uk.

NovaCast team complete Tough Mudder for charity

August 29, 2019

Billed as “Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet”, Tough Mudder is a uniquely challenging obstacle course that requires endurance, fitness, determination to succeed and a love of mud! So, when Richard Phillips, Sales Director at NovaCast, was looking for events to boost the coffers of the company’s chosen charity, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the … Read more

The Difference Between Gravity and Pressure Die Casting

July 15, 2019

Die casting is one of the most widely used casting processes but what is the difference between Gravity Die Casting and Pressure Die Casting? Both are casting processes used by NovaCast, so we are well placed to explain the differences and discuss the selection criteria. Both forms of Die Casting employ a metal mould into … Read more

Heat Treatment of Castings

June 28, 2019

Heat treatment of castings is primarily used to alter the physical, and sometimes chemical, properties of the cast alloy. Many of the mechanical properties of both ferrous and non-ferrous alloys are determined by their microstructure. Heat treatment Is an efficient way of manipulating the crystalline structure of the alloy to modify its mechanical behaviour in … Read more