| Abstract Scope |
The purpose of this project is to design a mold in collaboration with ExOne, for a helicopter ejection handle. The mold will be printed using binder jetting 3-D printing technology, made of silica sand, and will be cast using Aluminum A356. Throughout the project various the team was provided feedback and suggestions in improvements on mold design, and were guided in the importance of parting lines, the minimum thickness of the part, and many other important factors to consider for casting. The team conducted weekly meetings to discuss mold designs and casting practices. As prototypes were cast using scrap metal, simulations for the solidification analysis, and tensile tests were conducted with the cast metal. The team created two final iterations, a horizontal and vertical mold which were cast and analyzed. The horizontal mold proved to be the most successful when casting, with almost no areas left unfilled. |