Monday, October 13, 2008

Manufacturing Methods: Metal (liquid state) Forming 02_Investment Casting.

Hallo once again...
Todays topic is Investment Casting (also called lost wax, precision casting, solid mold).
The term for this method that you are going to hear depends from the profession that casting is used for, thats why solid mold is used in industry, investment and lost wax in art casting foundries and schools.

In a few words:
  • The part to be cast is made of wax.
  • Runners and sprue are attached and held in a flask.
  • Investment is poured into the flask surrounding the assembly leaving access to the sprue and puring basin.
  • When the investment is set, the flask is inverted, melting the wax, which drains from the mold, leaving a cavity or void.
  • The flask is righted and liquid metal is poured into the void via the pouring basin.
  • When the metal solidifies, the plaster or ceramic is broken away and the runners and vents are removed from the casts parts.
Properties of procedure:
advantages:
  • Superior surface quality.
  • Thin wall or section, intricate parts.
  • Minimum or no draft angle required (exept for pattern)
disadvantages:
  • Limited to nonferrous metals.
  • Limited in size.
typical parts:
  • Precision parts, scientific and medical instruments, tools.
  • Sculpture, jewelry, aerospace parts, airborne electronics.
The above video is more like a commercial for a company that casts parts, but I selected it because shows a detailed explanation of all the stages of the process.
Enjoy!

past videos:
Manufacturing Methods: Metal Forming 01_Sand Molding + Sand Casting

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