Metal casting is a process by which complex and relatively inexpensive metal parts are made. Most common types of metal casting are investment casting and sand casting. 3D-CAM uses the investment casting process to manufacture parts designed for metal castings.

Investment casting is an industrial process also called Lost Wax Casting , one of the oldest known metal-forming techniques. The castings allow the production of components with accuracy, repeatability, versatility and integrity in a variety of metals and high-performance alloys. The process uses a wax pattern invested in a ceramic shell made with multiple dips in a ceramic slurry. Once the shell is dried, it is baked. The wax melts away and the metal is poured into the empty shell. The shell is broken away once the metal is solidified and cooled. There are various ways of making the wax patterns for this process. 3D-CAM uses CNC-Machined wax tooling, Epoxy-Aluminum tooling, or SLA Quickcast method to provide the wax patterns (or Plastic patterns) required for the investment casting process.

Investment Casting Highlights

Investment Castings are the ideal choice for:

• Quick and cost-effective metal prototypes
• Low volumes of parts without tooling

Material choices include

• Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Bronze
• Other ferrous and non-ferrous metals

Dimensional tolerances:

• +/- 0.020” to +/- .040”
• Post machining is necessary for better tolerances

Turn-around:

• 1 to 3 Weeks after Quickcast or wax pattern availability

Quantities:

• Up to 5000 parts

Finishing types:

• Polish to 125 RPM
• Post machined accurate surfaces where necessary
• Bead blast or textured surfaces available