Abstract
The paper describes the limitations of the original lost-wax process (1945–49) and describes improved methods developed in the Precision Casting Shop of the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co., Ltd., by which the process has extended its application in industry.
In the technique of wax injection, methods are described for eliminating ‘draw’ in wax patterns, and for making accurate patterns considerably larger in size. Wax-injection machines are also described.
In the manufacture of moulds, the new Investment X technique of shell moulding is described with full details of its technical and economic advantages.
Methods of improving progressive solidification in castings are discussed.
The application of centrifugal and vacuum casting is discussed.
Attention is drawn to the mechanical properties of S.80 castings with higher consistency resulting from a combination of Investment X and centrifugal casting.
Distortion of patterns and of castings are described and methods of correction suggested.
The economics of lost-wax castings are considered and, finally, the scale of manufacture is reviewed with a view to mechanization.
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