Investment Casting Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of parts are suited for investment castings?

Almost any configuration or design can be produced as an investment casting. Investment castings offer more design flexibility over any other manufacturing process. Investment castings excel at reducing the high cost of machine components and weldments.

What are the benefits of an investment casting?

The investment casting process offers lower costs, greater design freedom and the largest selection of alloys to work with.

What size parts can Wisconsin Precision produce?

Wisconsin Precision can pour parts in a size envelope of 20x20x24.

What alloys does Wisconsin Precision pour?

Wisconsin Precision pours over 180 different non ferrous and ferrous alloys. We offer one of the broadest alloy selections in the industry ranging aluminum to stainless steel to tool steels to high temperature alloys such as Inconel and Cobalt based alloys.

What are the typical dimensions tolerances for an investment casting?

Our process will hold a linear tolerance of +-.005 inch per inch.

What type of surface finish can one expect from and investment casting?

A surface finish of about 125 RMS is typical for steel castings and for aluminum 160 to 190RMS.

Aren’t investment castings expensive? If so, how can they save money?

 While investment castings are usually more expensive than other casting processes and forgings, investment castings greatly reduce the overall cost of a metal component by reducing the amount of machining or welding and material waste that may occur.

Aren’t castings prone to porosity?

No. If the parts are gated properly, designed right, and the manufacturing processes are controlled, porosity will not be an issue. Wisconsin Precision utilizes a highly sophisticated computer program know as Nova Flow to simulate how the parts are to be poured to develop a manufacturing process that eliminates the causes of porosity.

What type of tooling is required?

Aluminum split die or tool is manufactured to produce a wax impression of the part that a ceramic mold is built around.

Could prototypes be produced with this process?

Definitely. The investment casting process is great way to produce prototypes in metal very quickly without any tooling. Investment castings are the best way to produce your prototypes regardless of the process you ultimately choose for production. Prototypes can be produced in 7 to 10 working days. All that is needed is a solid model.

How long does it take for a quote?

24 to 48 hours for a prototype and 10 working days or less for a production component.

What is the typical lead time for parts?

7 to 10 working days for prototypes and for production parts requiring tooling and first article, the lead time is typically 8 to 10 weeks.

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