3.042 Team Chess Project Update

3/13/07 - IT WORKED

Board Machined

• Machined in two phases, over two days

• Fine tip used to tighten corners

• Design altered to include boarder

Safety Gear

• Photographic method improved to emphasize our adherence to institute safety standards

• Should help prevent unfortunate accidents and law suits

• Cool, heal-protective outfits fit all sizes

Melting Ingots

• Ingots cut into smaller, more manageable pieces

• Melted using induction furnace

• Melted in separate crucible for easier pouring

Bronze Composition

57.49 % copper38.82 % zinc

Trace amounts of; Tin Lead Iron Nickel Aluminum Manganese Silicon

Phase Diagram

• Resting between the alpha and beta phase of the metal, at roughly 40% Zn composition

• Melting point for this alloy should sit just above 900 C

Ready to Pour

Casting the Pieces

• Investment mold heat-treated overnight in furnace

• Investment mold packed with sand to fill cracks and holes

• Hot metal poured and allowed to cool until no longer glowing

Removal

• Placed the cooled mold into water to aid in cooling and cracking of investment

• Struck investment with a small and large hammer

• Shook pawn tree to loosen debris

Our First Pawn

• Piece came out relatively smooth for a raw casting

• Detached from tree and set to polish overnight

• Good job team!

New Pawn Trees

• Meant to minimize usage of investment

• Should help improve mold quality

• Improved safety

Checkmate