Patent ID: 8215372

Claim:
A method of making a casting using a mold core and at least one support member, the at least one support member having at least one first portion and a plurality of second portions, the plurality of second portions being connected to the mold core, the method comprising: positioning the mold core at least in part in a sealed interior volume of a negative mold; positioning the at least one first portion of the at least one support member outside the interior volume; positioning the plurality of second portions at least in part inside the interior volume; introducing a consumable pattern material into the interior volume of the negative mold to create a consumable pattern, the mold core being disposed at least in part inside the consumable pattern, the at least one support member being disposed at least in part outside the consumable pattern; removing the consumable pattern from the negative mold; forming a shell around the consumable pattern; and introducing a casting material into an interior of the shell to create a final casting, the mold core being disposed inside the final casting, the at least one support member being disposed at least in part outside the final casting.