Investment Casting


Why Investment Casting?

Advantages Limitations
Sand
Almost any metal cast, no limit to size,shape or weight and low tooling cost
Sand
Some finishing required; somewhat coarse finish; wide tolerances
Shell Mould
Good dimensional accuracy and surface finish; high production rate
Shell Mould
Part size limited; expensive patterns and equipment required
Expandable pattern
Most metal cast with no size limit, complex shapes cast easily
Expandable pattern
Patterns have low strength and can be costly for low quantities.
Plaster Mould
Intricate shapes, good dimensional accuracy and finish, low porosity
Plaster Mould
Limited to non-ferrous metals; limited size of volume and production; relatively long mould making time
Ceramic Mould
Intricate shapes, close tolerances part; good surface finish
Ceramic Mould
Limited size
Investment
Intricate shapes; excellent surface finish and accuracy almost any metal cast
Investment
Part size limited; expensive patterns, equipment and labour
Permanent Mould
Good dimensional accuracy and surface finish; high production rate; low porosity
Permanent Mould
High mould cost; limited shape and intricact; not suitable for high melting point metals
Die
Excellent dimensional accuracy and surface finish; high production rates
Die
High die cost; part size limited; usually limited to non-ferrous metals; long lead time
Centrifugal
Large cylindrical parts with good quality; high production rates
Centrifugal
Equipment is expensive; part shape limited

Why do we opt for Investment casting?

  • Any type of intricate shape can be achieved by Investment Casting.
  • Machining cost and time can be reduced by Investment Casting.
  • Excellent dimensional accuracy and surface finish can be achieved by Investment Casting.
  • Almost all metal can be cast by Investment casting.
  • 2 grams to 150 kg single casting component can be made by Investment Casting.