Are you interested in knowing all about the investment casting process? This procedure is used to intricate different components and parts with the help of different castings such as steel, aluminum, or alloys. Investment casting is an old technique used to form metals, also known as lost wax casting. This procedure employs the use of a wax pattern for the shaping of a disposable ceramic mold. It uses wax to take the shape of the material to be cast. Here are eight steps to complete the investment casting process, so let’s go through them.
1. Make the Pattern
The very first thing is to create a design or pattern of your required workspace using wax. You may pour this wax into the die with the help of injection molding, hand carving, or 3-D printing.
2. Wax Pattern Mounting
The next step is to mount the multiple wax patterns on a gated device. The purpose of this device is to trap the metal or other materials for making the workspace.
3. Assembling the Tree
The mounting of wax patterns on the gate device is finalized by performing tree assembly. The reason to call this a tree is that it is bearing all the wax patterns on a branch.
4. Shell Molding
The next step after assembling the tree is to wrap the shielded casting around it. Firstly, dip this tree into a ceramic slurry and then into fine sand stucco. Always assure that your molding tools are completely dry before you start using them. Keep on dipping the tree in ceramic slurry and fine sand stucco, until it is enough to bear the casting stress.
5. Removing Wax
When you think your desired material is ready to be poured into a new shelled mold, don’t forget to remove the wax patterns first. The easiest solution is to heat the wax on a medium flame or either uses steam for this purpose. To reuse your liquid wax, turnover your upward-placed mold downward so that the liquid can easily flow.
6. Mold Casting
Now is the most crucial point, where you have to perform the main mold casting step. When your shelled casting is clear from wax, you will have some open spaces in the form of different shapes. Most commonly, molten metal or other liquid materials are used here. The material has to fully dry, coll, and solidify before getting mold.
7. Remove the Shelled Casting
The final step in the investment casting process is to take off the shelled casting until you just see a single tree. Now you have to add some excellent work pieces rather than adding wax patterns. Now, cut all your work pieces present on the tree neatly.
To Wrap It Up
The investment casting process is applied in various industries for manufacturing multiple products used in everyday life. But the key to achieving perfection is to follow all the above steps accurately so that you get the best results.
