Investment Casting is synonymous with Precision Casting or even Lost-Wax casting. This is a unique manufacturing process where a wax pattern is used to form a disposable ceramic or plastic or plaster mold. Patterns are usually made using a metal injection die. Its ensured that the wax pattern is made to the exact shape of final object to be casted. Once the ceramic/plastic/plaster is coated on the wax pattern, its hardened and heated until the wax inside melts and its allowed to drain out in a furnace. This shell becomes an investment mold in which molten metal is then poured and left to cool. This solidified metal part is the casting which is formed after breaking away the ceramic/plastic/plaster mold.

The resulting casted part features find detail and great as-casted surface finishes. This process is very helpful to achieve thin walls and complexed internal passageways. Investment casting can be done without drafts unlike Sand casting. This process can produce parts weighing up to 1000 pounds. Nevertheless, this is a highly complexed and high expertise process that a handful of companies globally could master with on an industrial level. INDO-MIM is one of the global market leaders today to lead the Investment Casting technology.

Investment casting is known to produce highly consistent and repetitive close tolerances while maintaining intricate passage ways along with contours. Lets say that this process can form those complicated features on a part that is not accessible by machine tools. A great significant amount of post-cast processing casts are saved by achieving near-net shape in this technology.

In case of an assembly of multiple parts, Investment Casting can prove to be a great asset to avoid such assemblies and get the net shape in one go. The hard work that goes behind formation of wax, its shell, its heating, pouring of molten metal and breaking of shell is all worth it. The main aim of achieving dimensional accuracy and avoiding part complexity is easily achieved here.

Factors consideration when using Investment casting

Tool Cost

Initially, there is a need to invest in tooling costs for investment casting, making it relatively expensive for smaller volumes but advantageous for medium and larger volumes. Unlike some other manufacturing processes where two parts are separately produced, the investment casting process allows for the integration of multiple parts in the tooling stage, reducing component costs in such cases.

Size Limitation 

In the investment casting process, it is possible to manufacture a range of sizes, from tiny to large

Very small size structure

Investment casting is the preferred choice for thin-wall sections, but small internal shapes and cores pose certain challenges.

Timing

Timing for investment casting typically takes more time for less volumes compared to other manufacturing technologies, such as machining. However, once the tool is ready, the production time for larger volumes is significantly reduced.

Advantages of the Investment Casting Process 

Size range

versatile and intricate shapes

Material Options

Accurate and smooth surface finish

Dimensional accuracy

INDO-MIM is certified to ISO 9001:2015, AS 9100 Rev D, IATF 16949:2016, ISO 14001:2015 which is in complete compliance to manufacturing Investment Casted parts from its 100,000 sq ft plant in India. Our highly experienced engineers in the product development team enable in-house designing and mold manufacturing along with Magma Flow analysis. We have state of an art manufacturing setup that can deliver you parts from concept to finish stage.
INDO-MIM has its own Wax room which along with a fully robotic Shell Room has equipment procured from US & Canada.

We can manufacture parts with quantities ranging from less than 1000 to 500,000 parts. Parts can range from 1mm in thickness to 75mm and can size up to 400mm in length. A typical lead time of 3 weeks to 12 weeks can be expected. We maintain a wide variety of material offerings from air-melt alloys, including carbon and low alloy steels, especially the 300 and 400-series stainless steels. Precision hardening stainless steels which are Nickel & Cobalt-based alloys are offered too.

To know more about Investment casting please click below link,

https://www.indo-mim.com/investment-casting-or-lost-wax-casting-process-manufacturer-and-supplier/

Contact INDO-MIM for your Investment Casting needs and our team will make sure your parts are delivered for free to your facility.