UM PLA for lost casting process

[ynagersheth 0]

Hi,

I am trying to use UM pla for "lost pla casting process" (investment casting). How do I attach/mount the pla patterns to the wax assembly(tree) containing the sprue and runners?

Thanks.

[geert_2 363]

I am not sure if PLA is the best choice for this. There do exist special filaments for casting. I haven't used them, and don't remember the names, but I saw a thread a few months ago. Maybe you could find that? There were waxes and other materials. If you print in wax, attaching other wax parts should be less of a problem.

PLA might leave black ashes when it is burned away beforehand. And if you pour hot metal directly onto it (without burning it away prior to casting), it might catch fire and explode in your face.

[ynagersheth 0]

Thanks for the reply. There's a video on the Ultimaker website which shows Siemens using it for investment casting process. I have pasted the link at the bottom. Ultimaker also states that their pla is great for lost casting method in the materials section of their website so I thought it might be a good option to try instead of wax for investment casting of components.

 

[peggyb 161]

here is something to read: https://ultimaker.com/en/community/21518-machinable-wax

I also used normal PLA, and the guy who does my (professional) casting said that for normal PLA he needs to fire the PLA higher then the MoldLay.

I guess they added the spruces with their own wax, the material from the tree, with heat, melting it to the tree.

[ynagersheth 0]

here is something to read: https://ultimaker.com/en/community/21518-machinable-wax

I also used normal PLA, and the guy who does my (professional) casting said that for normal PLA he needs to fire the PLA higher then the MoldLay.

I guess they added the spruces with their own wax, the material from the tree, with heat, melting it to the tree.

 

Thank you for the reply..will look into machinable wax