Method and apparatus for production of a cast component

摘要

A method for producing a cast component comprises forming a thin shell ceramic casting mold with a wall thickness less than about 1.52mm (0.060 inches) by the photopolymerization of a ceramic filled resin. A molten metal is poured into the thin shell ceramic casting mold without providing additional support to the casting mold. A thermal gradient is moved through the molten metal within the thin shell ceramic casting mold to cause solidification into a cast component with a single crystal or directionally solidified microstructure.