(Commercial Grade) Investment Casting

Capabilities

Commercial grade investment casting is a relatively new process in the UK and offers some distinct advantages over sand casting:

The surface finish and cast tolerances are similar to sand casting but it also offers many benefits of the premium grade investment casting such as design flexibility, good cast integrity and the ability to produce parts without draft angle consideration.

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Process

Commercial grade investment casting is a very similar manufacturing process to premium grade investment casting or lost wax process where the differences between the processes facilitate lower costs of supply:

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An aluminium tool is cut directly from the 3D CAD data

Wax replicas are produced from the tooling

Waxes assembled onto runner system – “tree”

A ceramic shell is built around the assembly using an automated, high speed dipping and drying process (investment)

The wax is then removed from the shell in water

The shell is fired in an oven

The molten metal is poured into the shell

Ceramic is broken off once the metal has cooled

Parts are cut off the “tree”

Ingate (feed positions) are ground off

Finishing and machining if required

Necessary inspection

Advantages

Commercial grade investment casting benefits.

The commercial grade investment casting process has many similarities to premium grade investment casting but is best suited to larger, less complex designed parts that may require a higher level of repeatable quality and integrity than general sand castings.

Piece price significantly lower than premium grade investment casting

Cast surface is smoother than sand casting

More design flexibility (complex shapes)

No draft angles required

The cast tolerances are wider

Consistency and repeatability: virtually no tool wear

Precision: details such as holes, lettering, threads, serrations can be cast

Production flexibility: accommodating both high and low volume

Reduced production costs: minimal material wastage, machining can often be eliminated and labour costs reduced

Low initial tooling costs

Added value: ability to incorporate company name, logo, part number etc.

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Contact Dean Group for Your Investment Casting Quote

To find out more about our investment casting, or to get a quote for your project, please get in touch with us on 0161 775 1633 or submit your enquiry online.

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