Investment cast. Lost wax for precision and detail.

Investment casting uses wax patterns and ceramic molds to create precise metal parts with complex shapes.

Investment casting is a precision manufacturing process used to make metal components with complex shapes, fine detail and good surface finish. It begins by producing a wax pattern in the exact shape of the required part. This wax pattern is then attached to a runner system. The assembly is repeatedly dipped into a ceramic slurry and coated with fine refractory material until a strong ceramic shell builds up around the wax.
Once the shell has hardened, it is heated so the wax melts and drains away, leaving an empty cavity in the shape of the component. Molten metal is then poured into this cavity. After the metal cools, the ceramic shell is broken away and the individual castings are cut from the runner system. The parts may then be cleaned, heat treated, machined or inspected depending on the required specification.
The main advantage of investment casting is that it can produce intricate parts that would be difficult or expensive to machine from solid material. It is widely used for aerospace, automotive, medical, defence, energy and industrial components, especially where tight tolerances, thin walls or detailed geometry are needed. Many alloys can be cast using this method, including stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminium, bronze, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys.
Because the process uses a disposable wax pattern and ceramic mould, it is well suited to repeatable production of high-quality parts. Although tooling and process costs can be higher than simpler casting methods, investment casting often reduces machining, material waste and assembly work. It is particularly valuable when a component needs strength, accuracy and a near-net final shape in one manufacturing route.

Key benefits
• Creates smooth surface finishes, reducing extra machining
• Supports thin walls and intricate features
• Works with many metals and alloys
• Reduces material waste compared with machining from solid
• Can reduce assembly by casting multiple features into one component