Metal Casting
ZCast®
The ZCast Direct Metal Casting process provides the ability to produce cast metal parts from a CAD file significantly faster and less expensively than traditional prototype casting methods. The process involves printing molds and cores on a 3D printer directly from digital data, eliminating the pattern and core box production step in the traditional sand casting process. Metal is then poured into the 3D printed molds. The technology allows you to prototype parts in metal that were previously cost and time prohibitive.
Advantages
- Extremely fast turnaround from CAD file to prototype metal part
- Ability to print complex molds and cores
- In-house mold making capabilities for product manufacturers
- Simple metal pouring process for foundries
Process
Printing molds and cores directly from digital data eliminates the pattern and core box production step used in traditional sand-casting processes. Metal is poured directly into the 3D printed molds enabling you to prototype parts in metal that are too costly or time consuming to produce using traditional methods.
Direct casting material can also be used to create sand casting molds for non-ferrous metals. This material is a blend of foundry sand, plaster, and other additives that have been combined to provide strong molds with good surface finish. It is designed to withstand the heat required to cast non-ferrous metals.
