Title: Study of statistically control rapid casting solution of aluminium alloys using three dimensional printing

Authors: R. Singh, J.P. Singh

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana-141006, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana-141006, India

Abstract: The purpose of the present investigations is to study the feasibility of decreasing the shell wall thickness of mould cavity for economical and statistically controlled rapid casting solution of aluminium alloy using three dimension printing technology. Starting from the identification of component/benchmark, technological prototypes were produced at different shell wall thickness of mould cavity. 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. The study suggested that the shell wall thickness, having value less than the recommended one is more suitable from dimensional accuracy and economic point of view. The result indicates that for the selected component/benchmark, at best set shell wall thickness (5 mm) of mould cavity, strong possibilities are observed for the process under statistical control in case of aluminium alloy.

Keywords: three dimensional printing; 3D printing; statistical process control; rapid casting; aluminium alloys; dimensional accuracy; shell wall thickness; mould cavity; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2011.038108

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2011 Vol.2 No.1, pp.39 - 50

Published online: 18 Jan 2011 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article