Hean Studio has always accepted new challenges and in recent times we have become more involved in specialist platinum casting projects, particularly for modern high-tech industries such as aeronautical and scientific instrumentation manufacturers. Our technical casting expertise and CADCAM services have been used to produce the Probe project shown below:
High tech probes used in the aeronautical industry, cast in Platinum/Rhodium here at Hean Studio. These probes are used for the accurate measurement of temperatures and pressures inside modern commercial jet engines.
Working closely with a team of CAD design engineers, Rapid Prototyping experts, precision machinists and an Electron Beam welding specialist, we were able to eliminate potential design problems right at the beginning of the project. These probes had to be constructed to the highest quality to withstand extreme temperatures, so a Platinum/Rhodium alloy was chosen as the right material for the job and 'lost wax cast' here at Hean Studio.
The STL files were transformed into Rapid Prototyped models using an advanced Envisiontec resin-build material. This hard cured resin is capable of complete burn out during the 'lost wax' stage. The final part of the process was to cast the platinum/rhodium alloy into the hot moulds at very high temperatures under controlled conditions.
After extensive trials, the castings were subjected to detailed testing and analysis to check the integrity of the platinum/rhodium alloy. It was imperative that these castings were solid and free from any defects.
Raw casting in platinum/rhodium alloy.
The finished probe tip attached to a special platinum/rhodium tube ready to be installed into the test-bed jet engine