First of all, let’s ask ourselves the following question: In which cases it pays off to cast in the investment casting process?

Among many factors to consider, we generally consider to cast in an investment casting foundry process when:

• The part is 100 lbs and less and has a maximum outer dimension of 18’’ in all directions (though this may vary from one foundry to another).
• The part features an intricate to highly intricate geometric shape. In this case, to machine from a block or a bar doesn’t make sense at all because of the high consuming machining time combined to much loss in raw material.
• We are looking for very specific physical properties or a rare alloy not available in stock in the steel warehouses.
• You need a cast part with very nice surface finish combined to tight dimensional tolerances; the investment cast part can have an as cast surface finish ranging from 125 to 200 RMS (vs 400 to 800 RMS for common sand casting foundry parts).
• You need to produce mid to high volume size of orders as the cost to produce initial tooling may affect your benefits of producing in the investment casting process if your production level is low to medium size of order. However, it is possible to produce very limited number of parts (for either R&D purpose or to produce preproduction parts) without paying any tooling cost if the foundry uses the 3D printer technology in the moulding department.

To have a complete topo about all the details to consider when producing an investment casting part, please click on the link below to visit Niagara Investment Casting design guide WEB page;

Or simple contact Metallurgical Resources by telephone at (514) 236-5441 or by email at pbelley@metallurgicalresources.com.