Abstract
The simulated die-casting process in which the traditional plaster casting process is combined with Rapid Prototyping technology is being used to produce AI, Mg, and Zn die-casting prototypes. Unlike in the die-casting process, molten metal in the conventional plaster casting process is fed via a gravity pour into a mold and the mold does not cool as quickly as a die-casting mold. The plaster castings have much larger and grosser grain structure as compared with the normal die-castings and the thin walls of the plaster mold cavity may not be completely filled. Because of lower mechanical properties induced by the large grain structure and incomplete filling, the conventional plaster casting process is not suitable for the trial die-casting process to obtain quality prototypes. In this work, an enhanced trial die-casting process has been developed in which molten metal in the plaster mold cavity is vibrated and pressurized simultaneously. Patterns for the casting are made by Rapid Prototyping technologies and then plaster molds, which have a runner system, are made using these patterns. Pressurized vibration to imparted molten metal has made grain structure of castings much finer and improved fluidity of the molten enough to obtain complete filling at thin walls which may not be filled in the conventional plaster casting process..
