72nd Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition


Agenda, Continued from pg 23 A key enabler of this approach is the DLP pixel-


based printing process, where the projected layer time is completely independent of cross-sectional detail or intensity. This allows the inclusion of complex non-pattern geometry—such as gates, vents, and feed systems— without any impact on build speed. By projecting light across the entire layer at once, DLP technology provides the throughput and precision necessary to fabricate fully assembled casting trees in one pass. The result is a scalable, highly repeatable, and labor-saving workflow optimized for modern foundries. Keywords: Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing


9:30 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. PANEL DISCUSSION: America Makes: AM Ceramic Shell Technology for Investment Casting Paul Finelt, Concurrent Resources, LLC; Jim Hauska, Foundry Support Operations, LLC; Bob Johnson, Shellcast, Inc.


10:10 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. COFFEE BREAK


10:25 a.m. - 11:05 a.m. Paper No. 16 Benefits of Printed Investment Casting Shells Tom Mueller, Mueller Additive Manufacturing Solutions People have long speculated about the obvious


advantages of using printed investment casting shells instead of traditionally created shells. Using printed shells eliminates the need for pattern tooling, pattern molding, assembly, shell building and de-wax. Those operations account for the majority of both capital equipment and manpower in investment foundries. Several companies are developing ceramic printers specifically intended for printing shells. While some have made significant progress, none have yet achieved the cost and speed needed to compete with conventional shell production. It is clear, however, that printed shells will continue to improve, narrowing the gap. What is not generally recognized is that printed shells


offer capabilities that cannot be matched by conventional methods. They offer possibilities for enhanced automation, improved control over solidification, and the ability to create very high-value geometries that cannot be created by any other manufacturing process. This presentation


24 ❘ July 2025 ®


Pittsburgh: A Bridge to Technology EVENT AGENDA


will detail those advantages. Keywords: Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing


11:05 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Paper No. 17 How 3D-Printed Ceramic Molds Are Transforming Casting: Five Key Insights Rick Pressley, Renaissance Services In the highly competitive aerospace and defense


industry, securing reliable, high-quality castings is critical to meeting stringent performance standards, production timelines, and budgetary constraints. Tooling plays a vital role in the design and production of


castings, but conventional hard tooling, typically machined from steel or cast iron, often falls short when producing small batches of parts. These traditional methods are costly, time-intensive, and inflexible, particularly for applications like legacy aircraft maintenance, short production runs, or new development projects. Additive manufacturing (AM) has made strides in


producing metal parts, but challenges remain, as many AM processes result in sintered metal components that lack the strength of cast metal parts. Renaissance Services' PERFECT-3D division has addressed this challenge by merging the flexibility of 3D-printing with the robust qualities of cast metal. Their innovative ceramic 3D-printing technology offers five key benefits, enabling manufacturers to efficiently produce hard-to-manufacture, OEM-quality metal cast parts, while reducing risk, lead times, and providing finished cast parts that are ready to fly. These benefits include: 1. Expedited Manufacturing Timelines 2. The Ability to Create Sophisticated Casting Structures


3. Cost-Effective Low-Volume Manufacturing 4. Rapid Prototyping Turnaround 5. A Scalable, Adaptable Process


This white paper explores these advantages,


demonstrating how ceramic 3D-printing transforms the production of high-quality metal parts for short-run applications. Keywords: Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing


11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony, Closing Remarks Timothy C. Sullivan, Esq., ICI Executive Director


12:00 p.m. Adjournment


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