Savey Motors

My engine block is shiner than yours

Could it be? An engine piece cast in metal??

Sand cores look pretty neat

I drilled a hole through a zinc ingot to test out how easy it would be to machine the engine block. It was considerably easy and would be even easier with a drill press

I redesigned the sand mold a bit to make it easier to take out without breaking the mold. This will result in needing more machining once the cast is made. I am also going to mix sodium silicate with sand to make cores. I am waiting for the sodium silicate to arrive

YOOOOO IT WORKED!!!

Using oil as a release agent actually worked! I just undefiled the mold this time. Third times the charm!

I reprinted the mold to have draft angles. The core should come out without issue now

I don't like how visible the layer lines are. I want a tight fit with no leaks. I'll add some bondo to the mold and sand it smooth

I used talcum powder as a release agent to get the core loose from the mold, but it was firmly stuck in the mold and ended up breaking apart. The wire frame did help with structural integrity though. I'll try using an oil of some kind as a release agent

I added a wire frame to the mold so the thinner sections won't snap once the plaster is set

The mold for the cast core is ready!!

I meticulously spent 5 hours making 10 pounds of casting sand. I also added draft angles to the 3D printed molds... and it works!!

I'm going to buy more sand to sift through and make a batch of really good casting sand

Turns out spending time to do something correctly results in quality. I took the time to sift bentonite clay to get a fine powder. I did the same with sand. This resulted in a really good casting sand that holds its shape

I cut out a much straighter casting box that will hopefully result in easier casts. Thank goodness for the fablab!

I have been playing around with clay and sand ratios to make molding sand

The physical model for transportation modeling is almost done! Paperwork starting now

The senior project has been on halt while I work on transportation modeling for TSA