Rapid casting

Rapid casting is an integration of investment casting with rapid prototyping/3D printing. In this technique disposable patterns that are used for forming molds are created by any 3D printing technique, including fused deposition modeling and stereolithography.

Advantages

 * Cheap for batch production
 * Reduced turnaround time
 * Representative prototypes
 * Easier to make patterns
 * Possibility to make the part lighter by removing unwanted material and stiffer by adding rib features.

Advantages of pressure die casting

 * Cheap at scale
 * Large parts
 * Good surface finish
 * High dimensional accuracy
 * High tensile strength

Procedure

 * A disposable pattern is 3D printed (can be of wax or any plastic used in 3D printing PLA, PETG, Etc.).
 * The pattern, if made of wax, undergoes wax infiltration and other procedures to increase its strength and dewaxing properties.
 * A mold is made by coating the printed pattern using a ceramic slurry.
 * The pattern is melted out of the ceramic mold.
 * Molten metal is poured into mold.