FOPAT samples
Samples of FOPAT lightweight complex foam cores showing sample size and complexities.This month's AMUG event in Jacksonville, Florida, promises to be another one for the books and buyCASTINGS is one organisation that is eager to showcase its latest developments.
Indeed, this will be the company's 18th appearance at the Additive Manufacturing Users group (AMUG), which runs from April 14th-16th.
At last year's show, buyCASTINGS President Bob Dzugan was handed a prestigious Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) Award, which recognises individuals for their contributions and years of experience within the industry and the business is hoping for an auspicious 2013 on the back of this accolade.
The company's Christine Ehrstine stated: "We are excited to be attending the AMUG Show."
buyCASTINGS will be showcasing its latest FOPAT and CALS technology - using SLAs as master patterns. The organisation makes the moulds to for the FOPAT patterns, which are used to make investment cast metal parts.
The FOPAT patterns are far more accurate and dimensionally stable than the wax patterns or even the additive manufacturing patterns, especially in sizes greater than 12 inches (30.5cm). This is critical to making complex cast metal parts. In addition, since FOPAT is injected at low pressures, cheaper tooling materials can be used.
This makes FOPAT patterns competitive with additive manufacturing patterns at much lower order quantities.
Moreover, as the part moves to mass production, the FOPAT patterns scale-up at much lower cost than wax or AM patterns.
FOPAT patterns are also produced at 70 per cent lower energy cost than wax patterns based on foundry data.
buyCASTINGS - the parent company of FOPAT and CALS - has now taken the FOPAT-patented foam pattern technology to the next level. The foam is being used to produce composite parts in the form of Composites and Lightweight Structures (CALS). CALS products include EMS Backboards, insulating foam panels, floor pads and skids.
