Posted to News on 20th Nov 2007, 21:25
High-quality aluminium castings in two weeks
CRP is announcing that it can now produce fully dense castings in aluminium alloys in just two weeks. With part quality that is said to be very close to CNC machined components, and material properties as would be expected of cast aluminium, CRP says it has achieved a 'really-near-net-shape' technology with its ULTRArapid casting technology.
Moreover, in comparison with direct metal sintered technologies, the casting process is said to eliminate the problems often associated with the 'rapid manufacturing' alternative - such as dimensional restrictions, quality issues (deformation, porosity, voids), geometry restrictions, and the need for support structures. Lastly, the casting process is said to offer significant cost benefits.
So far CRP has optimised the process for aluminium alloys, but work is underway to fine-tune processes for casting magnesium, titanium and steel.
CRP claims that 11 years ago it 'invented' titanium rapid casting. It says it is still the only company in the world able to deliver such high quality Titanium Rapid Cast parts. The same technology was then developed for special steel alloys and aluminium alloys as well, allowing components to be produced with exceptional reliability, fatigue resistance, lightness and high mechanical performance.
Today the company can provide fully dense aluminium or magnesium castings, in virtually any complex shape, and with very high quality. Such castings can be fully machined and completed within only two weeks.
