Method and apparatus for creating sacrificial patterns and cast parts

A method for casting parts, including the steps of:

• creating a mold incorporating a mold cavity by assembling a plurality of inter-fitting sections fabricated from one or more of a class of materials which have the properties of being radiation transparent, yielding to the touch, stretchable, pliable and shape retentive which are dimensioned to create said mold cavity;
• stabilizing said mold by enclosing it in a radiation transparent mold frame;
• regulating the outlet pressure of a source of inert gas to maintain a first pressure which will not result in gas escaping between mating faces of said plurality of inter-fitting sections;
• purging said mold cavity with said inert gas maintained at said first pressure;
• evacuating said mold cavity;
• regulating said outlet pressure of said source of inert gas to maintain a second pressure great enough to force said casting compound into said mold cavity;
• filling said evacuated mold cavity with a casting compound by applying said inert gas at said second pressure to the source of said casting compound;
• subjecting said casting compound within said mold cavity to a polymerizing initiating radiation and thereby causing said casting compound to polymerize into a solid casting;
• removing said radiation transparent mold frame from said mold;
• and
• removing said inter-fitting sections from said casting.