A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a first core portion, a first shell portion, and a second shell portion, wherein the first shell portion is adapted to interface with at least the second shell portion to form at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first and second shell portions. The core-shell mold may be inspected and assembled prior to connection of the wax gate component. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.

Partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds that can be assembled into complete molds are provided herein. Each section of the partial mold may contain both a portion of a core and portion of a shell. Each section can then be assembled into a mold for casting of a metal part. The partial integrated core-shell investment casting molds and the complete molds may be provided with filament structures corresponding to cooling hole patterns on the surface of the turbine blade or the stator vane, which provides a leaching pathway for the core portion after metal casting. Core filaments that can be used to supplement the leaching pathway, for example in a core tip portion of the mold are also provided herein.

A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a heated printing surface and a multi-tool extrusion assembly. The multi-tool extrusion assembly includes a barrier extrusion assembly and a metal extrusion assembly. The barrier extrusion assembly includes: a first inlet adapter to receive a barrier material; a first torque-and-pinch assembly, coupled to the first inlet adapter, to receive the barrier material; and a first hot-end assembly, coupled to the first torque-and-pinch assembly, to receive the barrier material and extrude the barrier material to form an outer retaining barrier on the heated printing surface. The metal extrusion assembly includes: a second inlet adapter to receive a metal; a second torque-and-pinch assembly, coupled to the second inlet adaptor, to receive the metal; and a second hot-end assembly, coupled to the second torque-and-pinch assembly, to extrude the metal to form an inner metal filing on the heated printed surface within the outer retaining barrier.

A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

A tool for manufacturing a ceramic matrix composite part by injecting a slurry, the tool includes an injection chamber intended to receive at least one fibrous preform to be densified, wherein the injection chamber includes first injection ports which are formed in a first side of the injection chamber for injecting the slurry into the injection chamber, the first injection ports being distributed along the first side of the injection chamber; the injection chamber includes first drainage ports which are formed on the first side of the injection chamber for draining a liquid phase of the slurry from the injection chamber, the first drainage ports being distributed along the first side of the injection chamber; and the tool includes a first filtration element which is located on the first side of the injection chamber and which is located opposite the first drainage ports.

A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.

This invention is an additively manufactured wall panel using computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) to design and manufacture multi-colored and multi-layered wall panels. This results in a variety of highly attractive, multi-colored wall panel faces ranging from brick, colored grout lines and multi-colored stones to multi-colored geometric designs. The design and manufacturing process greatly reduces the amount of precast cementitious materials by efficiently using higher quality materials. This reduces cost and weight while simultaneously producing a much more comprehensive, multi-functional wall panel complete with an interior frame, exterior insulation and an air, vapor and moisture barriers.

According to some aspects, a method is provided of casting an object from a mold, the method comprising obtaining a mold comprising a hollow shell of rigid material, the material comprising a thermoset polymer having a plurality of pores formed therein, providing a metal and/or ceramic slurry into an interior of the mold, exposing at least part of the mold to a low pressure environment so that a net flow of gas is produced from the interior of the mold into the low pressure environment. According to some aspects, a method of forming a porous mold is provided. According to some aspects, a photocurable liquid composition is provided, comprising a liquid photopolymer resin, particles of a solid material, in an amount between 30% and 60% by volume of the composition, and a water-soluble liquid.

According to some aspects, a method is provided of casting an object from a mold, the method comprising obtaining a mold comprising a hollow shell of rigid material, the material comprising a thermoset polymer having a plurality of pores formed therein, providing a metal and/or ceramic slurry into an interior of the mold, exposing at least part of the mold to a low pressure environment so that a net flow of gas is produced from the interior of the mold into the low pressure environment. According to some aspects, a method of forming a porous mold is provided. According to some aspects, a photocurable liquid composition is provided, comprising a liquid photopolymer resin, particles of a solid material, in an amount between 30% and 60% by volume of the composition, and a water-soluble liquid.