Casting parts have long been the domain of traditional foundry methods such as sand casting or investment casting. In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) has started to make inroads into this field — though its use has largely been limited to binder jetting or material jetting processes.
Now, when it comes to achieving high precision and intricate geometries in ceramic components, Lithoz’s Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) technology is proving to be an ideal alternative. That’s, in any case, what Safran Aircraft Engines will demonstrate as the company recently installed three CeraFab System S65 printers.
The engine manufacturer aims to build up the serial production of complex casting cores at industrial scale, meeting the high cooling demands of next-generation aircraft engine turbine blades.
Safran and Lithoz have been working together for the past years on the development of ceramic formulations that will enable a repeatable process of Lithoz LCM ceramic 3D printing in the aerospace industry.
Increasing the high pressure turbine inlet temperatures is key for future engine generations, meaning that the components must withstand those increased temperatures. This can be achieved by implementing more complex cooling channels during the casting process used to manufacture the turbine blades. With its operational and resource-based efficiency, Lithoz’s ultra-precise LCM technology has reached a level of complexity for casting cores previously unattainable with traditional ceramic manufacturing processes, Lithoz explains.
In addition to its ergonomics and software capabilities, adapted to production and aeronautical traceability requirements, Lithoz’ LCM was selected thanks to its ability to deliver performance and short production time.
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