The sand-casting foundry process started around three millennia ago, and the technology remained the same until recently.However, in the late 1970s, 3D printing became popular, and its use in sand casting started becoming popular. It made the process of sand casting faster by eliminating the need for sand moulds.
3D printing and casting are used in processes like printing cores and moulds and are especially useful in cases where mass production of these cores and moulds. Along with this, it is also possible to print prototypes, low-volume patterns and various tools.
3D printing is also helpful for foundries that want to expand their business of sand casting. However, the traditional sand casting process has retained its importance because of some of the limitations of 3D printing in the sand casting process.
For instance, the surface finishing of the moulds could be better than the one achieved by traditional sand casting patterns. If a conventional foundry providing casting services decides to use the process of 3D printing for casting cores and moulds, they have to make many significant changes in their work pattern.
Not only that, but they will also have to hire professionals and workers who know and understand the process of 3D printing. At the same time, the design process also undergoes a significant change, and the foundry will have to accommodate these changes.
At the same time, 3D printing is costly compared to traditional sand casting. This is why many companies providing sand casting services are skeptical about adopting the modern 3D printing and casting method.
Hence, apart from some of the companies that provide mass-produced cores and moulds or other parts, the traditional method of sand casting services is still preferred by most foundries.
