Apple’s CAD-3DPrint-Production Process

April 11, 2016
Apple earned a U.S. patent for a 3D printing process it would use to form investment-casting molds, in order to form parts from amorphous alloys to produce handset devices.

Additive manufacturing would be used to form molds to be used for amorphous alloys, or “bulk metallic glass”

In March, Apple Inc. was granted a patent for a 3D printing process to be used to form investment-casting molds, which would be used to form parts from amorphous alloys. The two-layer mold would be used for a hollow casting process, solidifying molten metal in the cavity between the two layers.

The abstract for U.S. Patent No. 20160067766A1 reads:
“Described herein is a method of forming a 3D investment mold using a layer-by-layer construction (3D printing). The mold is configured for receipt of a molten alloy having a composition configured to form a bulk metallic glass (BMG) on cooling. The mold has a hollow interior between inner and outer walls. The hollow interior receives the molten alloy for molding it between the inner and outer walls of the mold. A method of casting using the 3D investment mold is also disclosed, which may include filling the mold with molten alloy, removing bubbles, quenching the molten alloy in the mold, and then removing the mold.”

Read FM&T’s report on the patent and its meaning for investment casting.

Related

Foundrymag 3292 Ici Promo 0
Foundrymag 3292 Ici Promo 0
Foundrymag 3292 Ici Promo 0
Foundrymag 3292 Ici Promo 0
Foundrymag 3292 Ici Promo 0
Molds/Cores

Instant Rewards in Investment Casting

Nov. 3, 2016
The Investment Casting Institute honored the best component designs of 2016 for aerospace, automotive, industrial, and defense applications.
Apple's patented process proposes a method for forming a mold by 3D printing, and for filling it with a molten amorphous alloy, quenching the metal, and removing the part - a housing for an electronic device.
Apple's patented process proposes a method for forming a mold by 3D printing, and for filling it with a molten amorphous alloy, quenching the metal, and removing the part - a housing for an electronic device.
Apple's patented process proposes a method for forming a mold by 3D printing, and for filling it with a molten amorphous alloy, quenching the metal, and removing the part - a housing for an electronic device.
Apple's patented process proposes a method for forming a mold by 3D printing, and for filling it with a molten amorphous alloy, quenching the metal, and removing the part - a housing for an electronic device.
Apple's patented process proposes a method for forming a mold by 3D printing, and for filling it with a molten amorphous alloy, quenching the metal, and removing the part - a housing for an electronic device.
Molds/Cores

New Patent Hints at Apple’s Design-Print-Cast Sequence

April 11, 2016
3D printing for molds for amorphous alloys appears to unify prototyping, production processes Dealing with disruption Hollow casting concept Molding “metallic glass”