Lost-wax casting is a technique that dates back to ancient times. Among the best-preserved examples from antiquity are the Bronzes of Riace.
The lost-wax casting method is used in the fashion and jewellery industry: a reproduction of the piece is created in wax or using 3D printing. Additional pieces, casting channels and uprights are then added, creating the tree, also made of wax. The shaft, also known as the “cluster”’, is placed in a cylinder that is filled with refractory material. The cylinder undergoes two heating cycles, the first to remove the wax from the cavity, the second to pre-heat the plaster so that the liquid metal can be poured into the cylinder avoiding gaps and cold joints.
After the metal poured inside the cylinder has solidified, the plaster is broken away and the various pieces are separated from the column. The item is finished off with post-casting surface operations. The quality control department then inspects the item and certifies its conformity.
ProCAST software is dedicated to the fashion and jewellery industry. ProCAST digitises the injection of wax into the rubber mould and focuses on digitising casting and solidification.
The aim is to eliminate casting tests, which are carried out on the computer with ProCAST
ELONGATION
The software can provide the elongation % map
ULTIMATE TENSILE STRENGTH
The simulator provides the map of the Ultimate Tensile Strength of the Component “As Cast” and after Heat Treatment
YIELD STRESS
The simulator provides the map of the Yield Stress of the Unfinished Component and after Heat Treatment
HARDNESS
The simulation can indicate the Hardness that can be obtained and its profile through its thickness
SDAS
The casting simulator shows the map of the SDAS (Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing), a useful indicator of component performance
GAS POROSITY
Map of Porosity from Gas encapsulated during filling. Reduction of mechanical and bonding performance of the component
OXIDES
The alloy oxidizes during filling and the simulation points out where the oxides hide and where they move during filling
DELAMINATIONS
The simulator shows the delaminations, related to imperfect bonding of the alloy during filling
INCOMPLETENESS
Incomplete pieces or with joinings and retrieved lines
Undersized gating system or incorrect gas exhaust
SHRINKAGE POROSITY
Map of Shrinkage Porosity.
Geography and Dimension of defect in mm3.
CRACKS
Map of hot and cold cracks on casting
DIMENSIONAL
Dimensions and deformations of piece during solidification, extraction, cooling, blanking and any heat treatment
CO-DESIGN
Eliminate defects by acting on the causes and not on the effects
ALLOYS
Impact of the alloy on the mechanical features and on the defects
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
QuikCAST Light, QuikCAST and ProCAST characterise the alloy initiating from the chemical analysis. Assessment, for example, of the consequences of the addition of 200 ppm of Strontium
DATABASE
Complete archive of mould steels, sands, cores, insulation and exothermic sleeves, chillers, shells
DESCRIPTION
The simulation allows you to set a preview of the ideal process parameters for production of the component. This way the actual sampling underwent a positive result by eliminating fine tunings for the correct set of process parameters. Furthermore, the Optimizer Module of the software automatically defines the minimum and maximum ranges of the parameters guaranteeing the consistency and stability of the process.
DIE
The casting simulation shows the thermal die cycling simulation, the conditioning or thermal circuits, lubrication, deformation and die duration
PLATE
Optimization of the plate, positioning of the chillers, sleeves, filters and die assembly of the cores. Maximum yield.
CASTING MACHINE
The casting simulation allows you to know the required casting machine and therefore the tonnes necessary
SYSTEM
Simulation of the entire injection cycle, complete with container, riser tube, tipping, automatic, manual system
FINITE VOLUMES
The finite volumes or Finite Differences Technology is the introductory technology to casting simulation.
QuikCAST and QuikCAST Light
FINITE ELEMENTS
The Finite Elements Technology is the top technology that provides the maximum performance of the casting simulator.
ProCAST