JIANG Yao lin, HE Chao hui, SHAO Zhong kui

 

(Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311305, China)

 

 

Abstract: Aimming at rapid manufacturing of complex shape product for single and small batch, a rapid casting technology based on ProCAST and 3D printing technology was studied, with the enclosed centrifugal pump impeller which has complex internal cavity structure as an application example. Firstly the enclosed impeller model with gating system was established by Pro/E, secondly the numerical simulation of casting process of the enclosed impeller was made by ProCAST, and then a resin impeller model with gating system was directly produced by 3D printing technology, finally a metal enclosed centrifugal pump impeller was casted by investment casting with the resin impeller model as the fired mold. The results indicate that the dimensional accuracy of the casted metal impeller can reach CT4 level and the surface roughness can be better than Ra6.3μm.

 

Key words: 3D printing; quick casting; SLA; ProCAST; Enclosed impeller