Rapid Prototyping

For development projects and low volume production runs, the cost and lead time for cast parts can be significantly reduced by using additively manufactured ‘3D-printed’ casting moulds. Aeromet’s fully integrated rapid prototyping capability allows us to quickly respond to customer requests and eliminate hard tooling requirements for both sand and investment castings. As an industry leader, we use rapid prototyping to cost-efficiently cast small volumes of parts and give our customers design freedom during development projects, allowing part design to be optimised before a commitment is made for hard tooling.

How does it work?

Our dedicated in-house investment mould printing facility uses a CAD model to 3D print a wax casting mould. This eliminates the need for the bespoke hard tooling normally required to create a mould. After being printed, the mould will progress through the casting process in the normal way. For rapid prototype sand castings, moulds are supplied by our strategic partner.

What are the Benefits?

Reduced lead times and production launch times

No costs for hard tooling

Design freedom for complex parts

Flexibility to iterate development designs

Case Study.

Aeromet were approached by a customer in 2016 and asked to support a development project for a new, re-engine’d aircraft platform. By using our in-house rapid prototyping capability we were able to reduce the production start-up time from several months to three weeks. Fully compliant parts produced by our rapid prototype moulds are now flying.