Platinum and palladium jewelry are high-end and elegant choices, as these two precious metals not only have excellent corrosion resistance but also exude a captivating luster. In previous articles, we explored vacuum pressure casting, which is suitable for metals like gold, silver, and copper. However, for high melting point metals such as platinum, palladium, and stainless steel, centrifugal casting technology is required. Centrifugal casting is a process that utilizes centrifugal force to inject molten metal or other materials into molds, filling and solidifying the mold through rapid rotation. This method can not only create complex and delicate designs but also ensure the quality and precision of the jewelry.
- High Production Efficiency: Centrifugal casting can produce multiple identical or different-shaped parts simultaneously, with a fast casting speed that enhances production efficiency.
- High-Quality Products: This method can manufacture high-precision and high-quality products, with smooth surfaces and dense internal structures, ensuring stable mechanical properties of the materials.
- Material Savings: During the centrifugal casting process, the molten metal is evenly distributed and flows well under the influence of centrifugal force, allowing for thinner walls in the castings and thus reducing material consumption.
- Ability to Cast Large Parts: Centrifugal casting can create castings with larger diameters and can even handle shaft components that are several meters long.
- Strong Flexibility: This technology is applicable to various metal materials, capable of producing complex-shaped parts, and can be adjusted and improved according to needs.
The process of centrifugal casting is similar to that of vacuum pressure casting, requiring steps such as mold making, melting, casting, cleaning, and polishing. The main difference lies in the equipment used. Vacuum pressure casting requires a vacuum pressure casting machine, while centrifugal casting relies on a centrifugal casting machine, which mainly consists of the following parts:
- Centrifuge Body: The centrifuge body is the core of the centrifugal casting machine, made up of a high-speed rotating balance shaft or platen. The rapid rotation of the platen generates centrifugal force that pushes the molten metal or other materials into the molds, thus filling them and forming the desired shape.
- Mold System: The mold is used to contain and shape the molten metal, typically made from high-temperature resistant materials such as quartz, zirconia crucibles, and stainless steel cups that can withstand the injection and solidification process of high-temperature metals.
- Heating System: The heating system includes a power supply and induction coils used to heat the metal to a liquid state for injection into the molds.
- Control System: The control system monitors and adjusts various parameters during the centrifugal casting process, including temperature, vacuum time, and injection time. Precise control of these parameters is crucial for ensuring the quality and consistency of the jewelry.