Investment casting can provide a wide range of advantages compared with other manufacturing processes, including sand casting, machining and die casting. Read our slide show to learn more and then visit https://www.avalon-castings.com for assistance with your next casting project.

1. Investment Casting vs.
Other Manufacturing Processes
Avalon Precision Metalsmiths
15583 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44142
www.avalon-castings.com

2. Investment Casting as a Process
Investment casting is also known as lost wax casting,
specifically because of how the casting process
works:
Wax is injected into dies to create patterns of the
finished product. The patterns are then affixed to wax
runner bars to create what is known as a “tree.” The
tree is repeatedly dipped into a slurry to develop a
ceramic shell, and then the wax is removed in a steam
autoclave – hence the term “lost wax”. Once the wax
is removed, the ceramic shell is fired and then filled
with molten metal to create the part.
Investment casting provides many important
advantages over other manufacturing processes.

3. Versus Sand Casting
Investment casting offers tighter dimensional tolerances and better surface finishes
than sand casting. It produces near-net shape parts, which therefore require less
machining and other processing.
It also allows for the casting of complex-geometry parts and intricate details such as
lettering and logos.

4. Versus Machining
Precision investment casting offers lower per piece costs over long production runs,
compared to machining.
It also creates significantly less material waste, thereby reducing material costs, and
allows the use of a larger selection of alloys.
Additionally, machining offers
no economy of scale with
volume (ten thousand parts cost
as much per piece as ten
parts).

5. Versus Metal Fabrication
Investment casting can be far more accurate and precise than metal fabrication.
Lost wax casting also:
• Is less labor intensive
• Often offers substantial weight savings
• Costs less
It provides more material choices, greater design flexibility, shorter lead times, and
quicker prototyping.
Unlike metal fabrication, which may require parts to be constructed from multiple
individual pieces, precision investment casting allows for the same part to be made in
one continuous piece.

6. Vs. Die Casting
Compared to die casting, precision investment casting offers:
• Far shorter lead times
• Greater alloy flexibility (including ferrous materials that cannot be die cast)
• More design flexibility
• Better part consistency
It also produces parts closer to net shape, thereby requiring less machining.
Tooling for lost wax casting is also dramatically less expensive than die cast tooling.

7. Versus Forging
Compared to forging, investment
casting offers tighter tolerances and
lower tooling costs.
It provides near-net shape precision
cast parts that require less machining
and additional processing.
Unlike forging, investment casting can
produce cored geometries.
• "Beryllium Copper"
• Duplex stainless 2205
• Tool Steel

8. Value Added
In addition to investment casting’s advantages over other manufacturing methods, we
also offer a wide range of services to ensure the delivery of the precision cast
components that our customers have come to expect. These services include:
• In-house heat treat
• Off-shore casting capabilities
• Assembly and NDT services
• Supply chain management
• Rapid prototyping
• Design and build for all internal
tooling
• Low- and high-volume production
• Vacuum assist technology

9. Get the Precision Parts You Need
Leading manufacturers across a wide range of industries trust Avalon
Precision Metalsmiths as the full-service, turnkey investment casting
company that will meet their specifications on time and on budget.
To learn why, contact us for your precision component needs by:
Calling 216-362-4100
Submitting a request for quote
Filling out our contact form
You’ll be glad you did.