Direct production of investment casting shells using SLS

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) of zirconium silicate as a ceramic material used for investment casting shells and cores is an attractive alternative to the conventional, time-consuming way of producing these shells from a wax master. As opposed to about 10 days with the conventional method, the preparation of the data, the laser sintering of the shell and the casting is done in about two days using the new approach. This paper will present current process results concerning laser sintering of shells made from zirconium silicate and explain the related potentials and benefits.