Photo: Shvabe
A wax recovery technique for complex parts manufacturing has been developed and tested in the experimental foundry production area of Urals Optical and Mechanical Plant named after Yalamov (UOMP) within Shvabe holding. The innovation helps to re-use spent raw materials in foundry and reduce the costs of expendables.
Wax compounds are required for investment casting that is used in manufacturing of high quality complex thin-section castings. For example, body components and parts requiring leak-tightness. This method helps to minimize final machining.
Wax compound is used to make patterns of future workpieces and runner components via which liquid molten metal fills the casting. Then, a ceramic mold is created using the patterns. Metal is poured in the mold to make a finished part.
Once the ceramic mold is ready, wax is usually disposed of, however, the new wax recovery technique allows the spent raw materials to be re-used for runner systems by means of solids and water removal followed by mixing with fresh wax. While the quality of the material remains high.
“UOMP is continuously improving and uses new technologies at each production stage. Our technique allows to reduce the costs of expendables by 70%,” pointed out Anatoly Sludnykh, General Director of UOMP.
