What are Metal Castings?
Find Providers For Metal CastingsMolds are made from SLA patterns and molten metal is poured in. Moderate to high pricing.
Prototype metal casting allow designers to receive several metal prototypes in a short amount of time.
How It Works
Prototype Metal Castings start with a master pattern, usually made using SLA. The pattern is
then placed in a box where silicone RTV is poured in to create a negative mold. Silicone provides a flexible, detailed
surface that does not stick to most casting materials. A positive silicone mold is then made, to act as a flexible copy of
the original part. Then a disposable plaster negative mold can be made. When the plaster mold is ready, molten aluminum or
zinc can be poured in. After the metal hardens, the plastic mold can be destroyed and the metal removed and cleaned.
It is not a very efficient process, but it is effective at getting prototypes made in a timely manner, in as little as 5 days.
- Rapid Prototypes
- Low-Volume Production Parts
Example quotes for a 2-inch sphere:
| Process | Qty 1 | Qty 10 |
|---|---|---|
| SLA | $376 each | $109 each |
| SLS | $501 each | $121 each |
| FDM | $182 each | $154 each |
| PolyJet | $479 each | $139 each |
| Machined Plastic | $458 each | $139 each |
| Urethane Castings | N/A | $120 each |
For More Information
Wikipedia article
See the Next Article: Stereolithography