Complexity from a single cast – investment casting

Investment casting process for customized components

Investment casting is suitable for the production of complex components. Investment casting allows us to cast even complex components, even in smaller batch sizes, ready for installation. Mechanical post-processing is often very minimal or even completely eliminated.

Manufacturing Processes

Assembling the Casting Cluster

Several wax models are then assembled with the sprue, which is also made of wax, to form a casting cluster.

Production of the Ceramic Mold

Then, the ceramic mold is produced. This is created by dipping the model in ceramic slip, sanding it, and then drying it. To achieve the desired strength, the ceramic shell undergoes this process several times.

Lost Wax Casting and Firing the Mold

The wax models are then melted and the ceramic molds are fired.

Melting and Casting

The desired alloy is then poured into the preheated ceramic molds.

Demolding and Separation

After the alloy has solidified and cooled, the mold is removed and separated from the metal.

Heat treatment and post-processing

To homogenize the residual stresses caused by casting and solidification, the parts are heat-treated and can then be mechanically reworked.

Quality control

Quality control follows: The component is checked for compliance with the drawing specifications and material properties.

Mold Production

In investment casting, everything begins with the model production: A wax model is produced for each component using the injection molding process.

Abbildung des Fertigungsverfahrens Sintern in 10 Schritten, jeweils textlich erläutert & mit blauen Zahlen nummeriert

Assembling the Casting Cluster

Production of the Ceramic Mold

Lost Wax Casting and Firing the Mold

The wax models are then melted and the ceramic molds are fired.

Melting and Casting

The desired alloy is then poured into the preheated ceramic molds.

Demolding and Separation

After the alloy has solidified and cooled, the mold is removed and separated from the metal.

Heat treatment and post-processing

To homogenize the residual stresses caused by casting and solidification, the parts are heat-treated and can then be mechanically reworked.

Quality control

Quality control follows: The component is checked for compliance with the drawing specifications and material properties.

Mold Production

In investment casting, everything begins with the model production: A wax model is produced for each component using the injection molding process.

Several wax models are then assembled with the sprue, which is also made of wax, to form a casting cluster.

Advantages

The investment casting process allows for the processing of a wide variety of metals. These include stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, and various alloys, such as titanium. The low-loss development process and short production times are attractive for companies that want to implement their product developments within a tight schedule. Thanks to precision casting, complex components can be realized with great attention to detail. Mechanical post-processing is generally minimal. The wide range of materials that can be precisely machined rounds out the advantages.

Thanks to the possibilities of additive manufacturing (3D printing) with special materials, prototypes can also be created. These “printed wax pieces” can be used on the wax tree and then undergo the conventional investment casting process. Without the need for a tool, you can create investment casting prototypes in a very short time, gaining valuable insights for later series production at an early stage of development, thus saving valuable time in project development.

Feel free to contact us about these possibilities!

Application

Investment castings are used in many industries and trades. They are used in aerospace as aircraft components and in medical technology as elements in the manufacture of examination equipment. Investment castings are used to produce parts for the automotive industry, including transmission components.

Service

We are distinguished by high product quality and comprehensive service that begins with consulting but doesn’t end with the sale. We offer everything from a single source – from technical consulting, machining, and surface treatment to component assembly, quality management, supply chain management, and a wide range of castings in various materials and processing techniques, such as die casting, metal injection molding (MIM), and sintering.