Ceramic Resins for Investment Casting

On September 30, 2025, at 1:55 p.m., Vincent Icart, Deputy Managing Director at Prodways Machines, will speak alongside Ann Kutsch of Tethon 3D at the technical session titled “Development of Silica-Based Photopolymer Materials for 3D Printing in Investment Casting Applications.” This presentation will take place during a major industry event, bringing together experts in advanced manufacturing and additive technologies.

Their joint presentation focuses on the latest breakthroughs in the development of ceramic resins for investment casting, specifically designed for use in 3D printing of molds and cores. This session is intended for R&D leaders, process engineers, additive manufacturing project managers, and industrialization specialists who face the limitations of traditional mold-making methods in high-precision industries.

Addressing the Known Constraints of Traditional Investment Casting

Investment casting remains a go-to method for producing parts with complex geometries—especially in sectors like aerospace, where turbine blades and high-temperature components must meet exacting standards. However, the conventional approach—based on wax pattern production, assembly, dipping, burnout, and casting—is time-consuming, costly, and highly inflexible.

The design and fabrication of metal tooling alone can take months and involves substantial capital expenditure. Any design change requires restarting the process, dramatically impacting project timelines and budgets. In some cases, bringing a new part to production may take over 18 months.

A Practical Alternative: 3D Printed Molds and Cores Using Ceramic Resins

To overcome these limitations, Prodways Machines and Tethon 3D have partnered to introduce a transformative approach: direct 3D printing of ceramic molds and cores using a silica-filled photopolymer resin specifically developed for investment casting applications.

Using Prodways’ proprietary MOVINGLight® DLP technology in combination with Tethon 3D’s custom-formulated SiCast1200 resin, it is now possible to print intricate shell structures and internal cores with exceptional surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and full compatibility with thermal and chemical post-processing steps in the casting workflow.

This technical talk will explore the full development process behind this new ceramic resin—from rheological characterization and UV curing behavior to thermal stress testing, dimensional analysis, and internal feature leachability. The presentation includes tomography data and case studies to illustrate real-world performance.

Why You Should Attend This Session

Vincent Icart’s presentation is rooted in validated results from actual printed and fired parts, tested under industrial conditions. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the performance benefits and industrial implications of this new material. These include major reductions in development lead time, elimination of costly tooling, increased flexibility in part design iterations, and significantly lower costs for low- to mid-volume production runs.

Beyond the technical innovation, the session will address the operational questions most relevant to manufacturers: How compatible is this approach with existing casting lines? What thermal behavior can be expected post-processing? How can leachability of internal features be ensured without compromising part integrity? What is the ROI based on component type and production volume?

Real-world use cases—particularly from aerospace applications—will be shared, offering insight into how additive manufacturing with ceramic resins for investment casting can be applied immediately and profitably.

From R&D to Industrialization: A Field-Tested Solution for Critical Applications

At Prodways Machines, we don’t innovate for the sake of innovation. Our goal is to deliver additive manufacturing solutions that meet the real production needs of our customers. This conference reflects that philosophy: a structured, result-oriented session designed to provide answers and support industrial decision-making.

As a leading provider of high-resolution DLP systems, our expertise in resin behavior, process parameters, and production scalability is a key factor in the successful industrialization of new materials. Working in close collaboration with Tethon 3D—a recognized leader in technical ceramics—we’ve engineered a ceramic resin that combines high solids loading, reliable printability, and compatibility with high-temperature casting environments.

This presentation is the ideal opportunity for engineers, technical directors, and industrial project leaders to explore how this breakthrough can be applied to their specific needs.

Practical Information

The session will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 1:55 p.m. The presentation will be in English and is open to all event participants. A Q&A with the speakers will follow the session.

Ceramic Resins for Investment Casting: Join Prodways Machines and Tethon 3D at a Key Technical Conference

Addressing the Known Constraints of Traditional Investment Casting

A Practical Alternative: 3D Printed Molds and Cores Using Ceramic Resins

Why You Should Attend This Session

From R&D to Industrialization: A Field-Tested Solution for Critical Applications

Practical Information

For more details, to schedule a meeting, or to receive full technical documentation, please contact us via the form below.