Experimental investigations for reducing wall thickness in zinc shell casting using three-dimensional printing

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to verify the feasibility of decreasing the shell thickness in rapid casting (RC) process based on three-dimensional printing technology and to evaluate the dimensional accuracy, mechanical properties of RC solutions for the production of zinc-alloy casting. Starting from the identification of component/benchmark, technological prototypes were produced with different shell thickness. Measurements on a coordinate-measuring machine helped in calculating the dimensional tolerances of the castings produced. Some important mechanical properties were also compared to verify the suitability of the castings, and further results are supported by the radiography analysis. The study suggested that the shell thickness having value less than the recommended one is more suitable from dimensional accuracy and economic point of view. The provided data from the experimentation are extremely useful for the industrial application of the considered technology. The result indicates that at 7 mm shell thickness, hardness of the casting improved from the recommended 12 mm. Further, production cost and production time have been reduced by 41 and 37 per cent, respectively, in comparison with the 12 mm recommended shell thickness.