3D Printing Achieves Contoured Surface of Propeller
A complex boat propeller was being produced by machining from solid billet, with hours of programming and machining time. In order to reduce cost and lead time, the OEM sought a different manufacturing process. Investment casting facility Tech Cast Limited (Myerstown, Pennsylvania) was selected to produce the propeller using its net-shape investment casting process combined with tooling-less SLA printed wax-like patterns. Prototypes were delivered with a quick turnaround. The complexity of the shape was designed for the optimal propeller hydro-dynamic performance and was not suitable for the conventional wax tooling route of making investment patterns.