investment casting from jiachuancasting's blog

Investment casting is also known as investment casting or lost wax casting. The process dates back more than 5,000 years and has been used to make small pieces for centuries. Today, this type of casting is seen as the future by many industries looking for lightweight and complex components.

In an investment foundry, it all starts with the production of a wax model or pattern, which is created in the shape of the desired part. However, when time is short, 3D printing can also be used to make models, allowing for quicker rapid prototyping castings. Wax molds are usually made by infusing wax into metal tools or dyes. These patterns are attached to the wax tree, also known as gates, and are used in the mold making process.

The wax model is then dipped or dropped into a liquid ceramic grout, and fine sand or plaster is then applied to the damp surface. Let the mold dry and repeat the process several times, resulting in a layered ceramic mold.

Before pouring the metal into the mold. The wax is removed using a flash furnace, which melts and burns the wax away. The mold is then preheated to a specific temperature to prevent the liquid metal from solidifying before the entire mold is filled.

The alloy is melted in a ceramic crucible using a process called induction and resistance melting. When the alloy reaches its specified temperature, it is poured into a mold and allowed to cool. Once the casing material removed from the metal is cooled, this is usually done using a hammer or high pressure water jet. The part is removed from the gate, and the gate is removed from the part. The surface can then be finished using belt grinding or polishing.

The process produces complex, high-precision parts with excellent as-cast surface finishes, often reducing or even eliminating machining requirements. This is often the only way parts can be manufactured economically.