What is investment casting

Once the tree is assembled, the next step is to add the shelled casting around it. First, the tree is dipped into a ceramic slurry. Then it is dipped into a stucco of fine sand. The molding must fully dry before it can be used.

These two processes can be completed multiple times until the mold is thick enough to handle casting stresses. Before the desired material can be poured into the newly shelled mold, the wax patterns have to be removed first. This is often done by heating the wax inside an oven. Steam can also be used to heat the wax. The mold is placed upside down so that the liquid wax can flow out of it and be reused to create new wax patterns. After the wax has been removed, there will be open spaces inside the shelled casting in the shape of the formal wax patterns.

Molten metal or another liquid material is poured into the casting. Milling and grinding are two common machining processes performed in the manufacturing industry We use cookies to improve your experience.

By your continued use of this site you accept such use. For more information, please see our privacy policy. Want to read the latest news from Monroe Engineering?

Click Here. Skip to content. Get a Quote. What Is Investment Casting? More Popular Posts. November 12, Blog Posts. Once the wax patterns are created, they are melted onto a gate system, dipped into slurry and sand to form a layered casing, then replaced with the melted metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and much more.

Below are some short videos with some of the steps in the investment casting process. Developing investment castings involves creating an original wax pattern, coating the image with plaster and building of successive layers until a strong shell envelopes the model.

After melting out the wax, molten steel, stainless steel or bronze will be poured into the mold, creating a perfect duplicate of the original wax pattern. Compared to machining apart, investment casting can economically offer undercuts, high definition, complex detail and a smooth surface finish. Frequently Asked Questions What kind of parts are typically made through investment casting? Investment castings are used in a wide range of industries, including firearms, food service, gas and oil, as well as the energy industry.

While these are some of the industries served through investment casting, they are not the only ones served by Milwaukee Precision Casting. Investment castings can be used for almost anything where steel, aluminum, brass, and many other materials are required. To download the complete casting process guide, please click here. Learn more about investment casting vs. Effective part configuration is the critical element in achieving strict tolerances for investment casting parts.

By injecting wax into a permanent-molding die to form wax patterns, investment casting are the solution for many complex parts that are required in large quantities.

We produce investment castings in lost wax patterns from a few grams up to 40 pounds, and can economically produce low quantities with manual tooling, or high volumes utilizing multi-cavity automatic molding tools. Works were created from hand sculptured wax patterns with delicate detail. During the post — WWII period, this process evolved and expanded into virtually every industry and marketplace, as seen today.

Robotic Technology Our robotic technology allows for efficient shell dipping with less drying time between dips, less breakage and patching, and less ceramic inclusions resulting in high-quality castings with a smooth surface finish for our customers.

Milwaukee Precision Casting, Inc. Our services include quality assurance testing, heat treatments, and non-destructive testing to provide custom investment casting parts that fit your specifications. Our lead times are among the shortest in the industry. All of our parts are made in the USA allowing for quick turnaround times for projects located throughout the country.

Go to Navigation Go to Content. What Is an Investment Casting? What kind of parts are typically made through investment casting? What secondary operations can be done with Investment Castings? Milwaukee Precision Casting has close relationships with many local vendors to allow for the best possible part at the lowest possible price.

The difference in strength between castings and other methods of metal working, while there, are negligible. Investment castings have been used by the military, aerospace, and medical fields for many years, and are still used in those industries today. Through testing and thorough inspection, we can ensure that no part that leaves Milwaukee Precision Casting would not meet the most rigorous of requirements.

The Investment Casting Process Click on any of the steps below for detailed information on the investment casting process.