A hybrid casting process for structural components uses a re-usable metallic mold rather than a sand mold to produce more consistent cast components. The hybrid casting process uses a metallic mold coupled to a core mold to produce the near net shape of the cast component. Machining operations are performed on the near net shape cast component to produce a final component that meets tolerances and other specifications of the structural component.

A hybrid casting process for structural components uses a re-usable metallic mold rather than a sand mold to produce more consistent cast components. The hybrid casting process uses a metallic mold coupled to a core mold to produce the near net shape of the cast component. Machining operations are performed on the near net shape cast component to produce a final component that meets tolerances and other specifications of the structural component.

A method for producing a cast workpiece includes the following method steps: providing a mold having at least one mold core arranged in the mold; inserting a metal melt into the mold; waiting for a period of time until at least the outer contour of the metal melt has solidified and the workpiece has been formed from the metal melt; removing the workpiece from the mold; shattering the mold core, wherein this method step is carried out before the workpiece has entirely cooled down from the casting process. For shattering the mold core, a hammer head is applied on a defined energy transmission surface of the workpiece and the energy transmission surface is acted on, in particular hit on, by the hammer head.

An apparatus and method for removing excess material, preferably a powder, from a cavity of a component, wherein the apparatus includes: a platform for retaining the component, preferably an additively manufactured component, a drive mechanism being coupled to the platform, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the component being retained by the platform independently around two orthogonal spatial directions and each with an unlimited angular deflection, an actuator for mechanically actuating the platform during a removal of the excess material, and a housing, defining a working space in which the excess material can be removed from the cavity, wherein the housing seals the working space against an environment, and wherein any electrical components for the drive mechanism are arranged out of the working space.

A decoring hammer for decoring cast workpieces, includes: —a housing; —a striker which is coupled to the housing and which includes a contact surface serving for contact on the cast workpiece to be decored. Moreover, a downholder is formed which is coupled to the housing and which includes a downholder surface serving for contact on the cast workpiece to be decored, wherein the striker is displaceable relative to the downholder.

What are described is a process for producing casting molds, cores and mold base materials regenerated therefrom, a mixture for combination with a solution or dispersion comprising waterglass for production of casting molds and/or cores, a molding material mixture, a mold base material mixture, and a casting mold or a core. What is also described is the corresponding use of an amount of particulate sheet silicates having a d.sub.90 of less than 45 μm or a corresponding mixture as additive for production of a molding material mixture comprising waterglass and particulate amorphous silicon dioxide, which is cured by chemical reaction of constituents of the molding material mixture with one another, in the production of a casting mold or a core, to facilitate the breakdown and/or to increase the regeneratability of the casting mold or core.

The invention relates to a decoring machine (1) for decoring cast workpieces (2). The decoring machine (1) comprises: a machine frame (3); a machine table (6), which is coupled to the machine frame (3) by means of a mounting bracket (7); a first eccentric mass (10), which is mounted in a rotatable manner on the machine table (6); a second eccentric mass (12), which is mounted in a rotatable manner on the machine table (6), wherein the second eccentric mass (12) is driven in the opposite direction to the first eccentric mass (10); a workpiece carrier (21) for receiving the cast workpiece (2) to be decored, wherein the workpiece carrier (21) is coupled to the machine table (6) by means of a rotary mounting (22), wherein the rotary mounting (22) is configured in such a way that the workpiece carrier (21) is mounted so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (23) relative to the machine table (6).

An apparatus and method for removing excess material, preferably a powder, from a cavity of a component, wherein the apparatus includes: a platform for retaining the component, preferably an additively manufactured component, a drive mechanism being coupled to the platform, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the component being retained by the platform independently around two orthogonal spatial directions and each with an unlimited angular deflection, an actuator for mechanically actuating the platform during a removal of the excess material, and a housing, defining a working space in which the excess material can be removed from the cavity, wherein the housing seals the working space against an environment, and wherein any electrical components for the drive mechanism are arranged out of the working space.

What are described is a process for producing casting molds, cores and mold base materials regenerated therefrom, a mixture for combination with a solution or dispersion comprising waterglass for production of casting molds and/or cores, a molding material mixture, a mold base material mixture, and a casting mold or a core. What is also described is the corresponding use of an amount of particulate sheet silicates having a d.sub.90 of less than 45 μm or a corresponding mixture as additive for production of a molding material mixture comprising waterglass and particulate amorphous silicon dioxide, which is cured by chemical reaction of constituents of the molding material mixture with one another, in the production of a casting mold or a core, to facilitate the breakdown and/or to increase the regeneratability of the casting mold or core.

A method for producing a cast workpiece includes the following method steps: providing a mold having at least one mold core arranged in the mold; inserting a metal melt into the mold; waiting for a period of time until at least the outer contour of the metal melt has solidified and the workpiece has been formed from the metal melt; removing the workpiece from the mold; shattering the mold core, wherein this method step is carried out before the workpiece has entirely cooled down from the casting process. For shattering the mold core, a hammer head is applied on a defined energy transmission surface of the workpiece and the energy transmission surface is acted on, in particular hit on, by the hammer head.