The advantages of precision investment casting
The advantages of precision investment casting over other methods include the ability to create parts with closer tolerances and a smoother surface than sand casting. This eliminates the necessity for machining and additional processes and offers detailed capabilities like the creation of logos and lettering. The cost per piece and waste of material on precision investment castings are much lower than on machining over long production runs. The investment casting process is not only more precise and accurate than the metal fabrication process, but it is also significantly cheaper, less labor-intensive, and allows a wider range of metals to be used. Furthermore, metal fabrication can require more than one piece of material to construct a part, whereas precision investment casting allows the part to be made from only one piece. Die casting is less expensive than precision investment casting, but it has shorter lead times, produces components closer to their net shape, and allows for greater alloy flexibility. Die casting cannot be used to make ferrous materials. Furthermore, investment casting is preferred over forging because it can produce parts with cored geometries, which the forging process cannot.After 20 years of development, HULK Metal has made great efforts to build a business. Based on the Chinese hardware production for the tens of years, HULK Metal has continued to develop and become one of the largest Precision Casting Service Suppliers in China integrating R&D, production, and service.
The process of investment casting
Steps 1: Designing a die or pattern
Creating a die or pattern of a desired workpiece is the first step in the process. A pattern can be cast in a die using injection molding, carved manually from a wax block, or printed using a 3D printer.
Step 2: Placing the wax patterns
Multiple wax patterns are created and attached to a “gate” device where metal or other materials are poured to eventually create the desired workpieces.
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Step 3: Tree Assembly
As the wax patterns are mounted on the gate device, the tree assembly completes the process. As each wax pattern is essentially a “branch,” once the assembly is complete, it becomes one final finished workpiece. New board games have tree assemblies that require pieces to be detached before playing.
Step 4: Shell Molding
When the tree has been assembled, the shelled casting can be added around it. The tree is dipped first in ceramic slurry. Then it is dipped in fine sand stucco. Before the molding is ready to be used, it must completely dry. As long as the mold is thick enough to handle casting stresses, these two processes can be repeated several times.
Step 5: Wax Removal
In order to pour material into the newly shelled mold, the wax patterns have to be removed first. This is usually done by heating the wax in 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 and be reused to create new wax patterns.
Alternatively, the wax can be heated so that it burns off and is fully removed from the shelled casting.
Step 6: Mold Casting
Having removed the wax, there will be open spaces inside the shelled casting shaped like the formal wax patterns. Molten metal or other liquid material is poured into the casting and allowed to cool and solidify.
Step 7: Removing the Shelled Casting
The shelled casting is removed with a hammer or other tool until only the original tree remains. The finished workpieces will now be attached to the tree instead of the wax patterns. Once the castings have been removed, the tree is carefully cut off to remove the workpieces.
Step 8: Finishing Operations
Workpieces are inspected for imperfections. If any are found, they are discarded and the material is recycled. As a final step in the investment casting process, the workpieces are finished using different methods, such as sanding, coating, smoothing, and machining.
Depending on the complexity of the workpiece being made, the exact steps in the process can and do vary based on the investment cast tooling.
If you choose the right Casting Parts Manufacturer, your project will run much more smoothly and efficiently. Among the factors to consider when choosing an investment casting company are the materials they can work with and investment cast on a regular basis, their pricing structure, and their commitment to communication.
