Integration of Virtual Engineering and Additive Manufacturing for Rapid Prototyping of Precision Castings

The present paper is concerned with the practical interconnection between virtual engineering tools and additive model manufacturing technologies and the subsequent production of a ceramic shell by rapid prototyping with the use of Cyclone technology to produce the aluminium casting prototype. Prototypes were developed as part of the student formula project, where several parts originally produced by machining were replaced by castings. The techniques of topological optimization and the combination with the tools of the numerical simulation were used to optimise the virtual prototype before a real production of the first prototype. 3D printing of wax pattern ensured direct and fast assembly of the cluster without any additional operations and troubles during dewaxing. The shell was manufactured in 6 hours thanks to a system of quick-drying of individual layers of ceramic shell. It has been verified that the right combination of individual virtual tools with the rapid prototyping can shorten the development time and delivery of the first prototypes from a few months to a few weeks.