Optimization of wax pattern technology in the company Alucast

This diploma thesis deals with the problem of wax patterns manufacturing in investment casting technology (lost wax process). This technology is very sensitive to the exact execution in each phase of the whole process, from concept design up to the final casting expedition. During most operations, dimensional changes occur, which is affecting the accuracy of the final casting. No matter how big these changes are, but especially if they occur with the least variance. One of the first phases in this technology is making wax patterns. There are several ways of making the wax patterns and this thesis is describing two different methods used in the Alucast foundry. One is based on using “soft waxes” enabling using low pressure machines, the other one on the “hard waxes” where the injection machine with higher presses is being used (SOM). These two above mentioned technologies are compared in this work