investment casting: SLA vs. SLS

[eragon]

Hi to everybody,

I know that is possible to obtain metal casting parts with both the methods.
I mean, is possible to start from SLS pattern but also from SLA pattern to "extract" a metal casting parts through foundry process.

In your opinion which are the main differences between these 2 technologies? Finally the casting results are nearly the same?
and is it possible to cast easily all the metals with both methods?
are there great differences respect to the led times and the tolerances?

Please give me your experiences about.
Thanks.

Bye.
eragon

[RPManager]

Hello eragon,
thanks for you question.

I think that the differences are nearly the same (more or less) that we have on the direct RP between SLA and SLS.

The SLA is more precise about the tolerances and also about the small details that are more evident and not rounded.

But the SLS is more stable on the time and respect the humidity, and I suppose that the polystirenic powder is better for the foundry process, so at the end we have less residual of ash respect the SLA pattern.

Ciao.

Fede.

[livia]

Dear All,

let me remind you that SLA patterns can't fit at all Ti rapid castings, due to the high reactivity to oxigen of all Ti Alloys (almost no ash left).
Referring to other alloys, I still prefer to use SLS: no supports problems first of all (even with really complex shapes) and greater stability/reliability in time.
Therefore I guess I agree with Fede at all!

Cheers, Livia

[eragon]

ok guys, many thanks for your answer.

But I have another question for you.
Is really possible to think that in the near future this investment casting technology will be overcome from the Direct Metal Rapid Manufacturing? and than in the future both SLA and SLS patterns won't be used?

or in every case this 1st technology will be still on the market for a long time?

Thanks.
Bye.

eragon.

[livia]

to be honest i don't think so! first of all rapid casting has more freedom of alloys and lower costs...and the reliability/quality is still better. Costs are still lower...there is a long path to reach rapid casting performance...

[Coastal]

There is a method called Quick Cast, done with SLA that is pretty cheep and turns out great results....

If your part isnt heat sensetive, We did an intake on an SLA machine that worked out great, and went right on the car.

[livia]

can you give me the UTS and elongation @break? and density too please?
I've already checked it and it seemed to be quite far from SLS + composite powders performance...am i wrong?
And of course quite far from Rapid Casting in any metal alloy...

Thanks!

[RPManager]

Welcome Coastal,

I have used Quick Cast (from others called Skin and Core) some years ago, patterns built with big 3D Systems SLA, but I have not had good results, with high reactive alloy as Titanium above all.

Maybe the resin used to that time was not well developed yet, but anyway I have had bad results, now I don't know well if the used resin is the same one or if is updated.

Fede.

[livia]

ehm...but if we are just speaking about rapid casting with patterns made by SLA...I don't understand the meaning of this sentence: " If your part isnt heat sensetive, We did an intake on an SLA machine that worked out great, and went right on the car." Are we speaking of SLA parts or SLA patterns used for casting??

[Jaimel]

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