Manufacture of cast prototypes
After computer-aided design of the new castings, it is frequently necessary to put them through their paces in a practical test. Typical part quantities range from 1 to 5, sometimes up to 30, pieces per casting.
The results achieved here have to be at a level commensurable with that of series manufacturing. As a result, many other rapid prototyping procedures can be excluded from the shortlist. Either the materials used are not identical to those of the series, or the method used cannot be compared with series manufacturing. Sometimes, it is completely impossible to manufacture the desired series materials, such as grey cast iron or steel alloys, with these techniques.
In contrast, manufacture is made possible by Laser-sintering of Croning®-molding material, even in combination with conventional methods such as CNC pattern making. The molding material used is usual for foundries, and the manufacturing technology applied is commensurable with that of the series. Consequently, the expected quality levels are known. Even the prototypes represent the quality level for the series. It is not necessary to invest more into series molds than is usually the case. The technology used and the castings produced have already proven feasible for building parts.
Since ACTech can also offer readily machined castings, the developer may profit from a maximal time reduction in this stage.
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