Vulcan Foundry

Components

• Foundry
• Vacuum chamber

The process worked out by VegOilGuy seems really good.

Foundry

I like the electric design. Since this is downstream of the basic 3D printer, we can print a set of molds to go inside when casting the cement. This will leave a precise spiral for the heating element.

Inductive

Requires a more complex driver but we can melt metal right in the crucible with very little insulation. More efficient because the energy goes right into the metal rather than heating a larger volume.

Down side is that it cannot be used for heat treating.

Electric Arc

Probably cannot be the only source, but it would be good for working with steel. Use steel as the arc electrode, it will be eaten away, but that's fine, it will add to the pool.

Sand Printing

There are 3d printers that can build sand molds for casting. This could allow for some very detailed parts.

• https://www.foundrymag.com/molds-cores/article/21931923/understanding-3d-sand-printers-and-binder-technologies

Goals

• Fully reusable sand
• Cheap binder

Maybe sodium silicate binder gets mixed in with the sand then the printer binds it just strong enough to be removed, then cure in CO2?