Castings
Sinotech are able to supply castings from a variety of processes including Investment casting (Lost Wax /Lost Foam) and Sand Casting.
Investment Casting
This process allows the manufacture typically of small components, up to around 35Kg in weight to a very high degree of accuracy, 0.5% of length.
The Process
Pattern Creation:- A pattern maker creates an original master pattern typically in steel.
Wax Pattern Production:- Normally the wax is poured into the master pattern and allowed to cool. If a core is required this is added at this stage.
Wax Pattern Assembly:- Several of these patterns are attached to a central wax gating system (sprue, runners, and risers), to form a tree-like assembly. The gating system forms the channels through which the molten metal will flow to the mould cavity.
Investment:- The tree is dipped into a fine ceramic slurry followed by coarse ceramic particles then hardened. This process is repeated until the “Investment” is of the required thickness. Once completely dry, the tree is then placed in a in an inverted position in a furnace to melt out and vaporize the wax, leaving a hollow ceramic shell that will act as a single use mould.
Pre-Heating & Pouring:- The mould is preheated in a furnace to between 870°C and 1100°C, to remove any moisture, but also to allow the metal to remain molten for longer and to fill any tight corners more fully. The molten metal is usually poured from a ladle into the cup at the top of the gating system of the mould, filling the mould cavity.
Removal and finishing:- Once cold the shell is mechanically broken away from the castings. The sprue and any other excess metal is then ground / shot blast away from the castings to yield the finished product. Heat treatment is sometimes used to harden the final part.
Material Selection
The types of material suitable for investment casting include Aluminium Alloys, Copper Alloys, Steels and some precious metals.
Sand Casting
This process is typically used to make larger components. The molten metal is poured into a prepared cavity formed out of sand. The Green Sand Mould process - is commonly used in the casting of aluminum, brass/bronze, and iron products. The term "green sand" is known principally because of the moisture content within the sand. The sand undergoes a "mulling" process in which various clay and chemical additives that act as binders are blended with the sand, which results in a compound which is suitable for the sand moulding process
The Process
Pattern Creation:- A pattern maker creates an original master pattern typically from wood, plastic or steel. For simple designs the pattern is usually in one piece. For more complex designs it is usually made in two parts. Due to shrinkage the pattern is made oversize to allow for contraction on cooling.
Mould Production:- The pattern is held in a box called a flask, this is then rammed with sand. The sand contains a binder which helps harden the sand into a semi-permanent shape. Cores, shapes from sand, are inserted into the mould to produce the internal features of the part such as holes or internal passages.
Pouring:- Simple moulds are open at the top whilst two piece moulds have an integral pouring cup connected to a sprue and gating system, Vent holes are normally required to allow hot gasses to escape and to enable good mould fill. The molten metal, ideally at least 200 degrees above the metals melting point, to ensure good fluidity, is poured into the mould.
Cleaning:- Cleaning refers to all operations necessary for the removal of sand, scale, and excess metal from the casting. After solidification has taken place, The casting is separated from the mould and transported to the cleaning department. Burned-on sand and scale are removed to improve the surface appearance of the casting. Excess metal, in the form of fins, wires, parting line fins, and gates, is removed. Castings may be upgraded by welding or other procedures. Inspection of the casting for defects and general quality is performed.
Design Considerations
The designer should take into account the following:- The parting line, draft angles, the location of ribs, bosses etc, wall thickness, surface finish & machining allowances.
The parting line position is critical to the process and must be marked on the drawing; mismatch should not exceed 0.5mm.
The Draft Angles are necessary to ease the removal of the pattern from the sand mould and are typically 2 degrees, Ribs, webs section change etc, abrupt section changes are not desirable, if it is necessary to have a change greater than 2:1 they should be connected with a wedge shape with a maximum taper of 1:4.
Wall Thickness should be kept between a minimum of 6mm and a maximum of 130mm.
| Dimension (mm) | Tolerance + / - (mm) | ||||||
| Gravity Die Casting | |||||||
| Lost Wax | |||||||
| Sand Casting | |||||||
| Over | Up to & Including | CT6 | CT7 | CT8 | CT9 | CT10 | CT11 |
| 0 | 10 | 0.52 | 0.74 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.8 |
| 10 | 16 | 0.54 | 0.78 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 3.0 |
| 16 | 25 | 0.58 | 0.82 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 3.2 |
| 25 | 40 | 0.64 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| 40 | 63 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| 63 | 100 | 0.78 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.4 |
| 100 | 160 | 0.88 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 5.0 |
| 160 | 250 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.6 |
| 250 | 400 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 6.2 |
| 400 | 630 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 5.0 | 7.0 |