Investment Casting Company

This casting process is actually what it sounds like- an investment

Look around. And as you do, you will see a minimum of 3-4 machines around you. Machines are indispensable in every industry from automobiles to marine to the products we use in our day-to-day lives. And most of these machines are assembled with various parts made from materials like metal, glass, which need to be precisely fitted for the mechanism to function. With technology advancing and growing specific demands of the machines, how do you stay at top of the game? You offer innovative solutions. But sometimes, the solution is an innovative process itself. So let's talk about investment casting because it helps create faster, space-efficient and cost-effective machines.

Established in 1999 in India, Sumangal Castings Pvt. Ltd. is a well-known firm that manufactures and exports raw as well as finished precision investment castings, based in Rajkot. We are a company willing to produce and supply your products within a low-cost budget and with the commitment that continual development is followed to improve our quality and standards. Having been approved by leading agencies and having received combined certifications from ISO, TUV, PED and others, we ensure our casting process is top-notch. So what exactly, is investment casting?

Investment casting, also known as the lost-wax method is a manufacturing process in which molten metal is poured into a mould to cast it into the desired part to produce industrial components. The term ‘invested’ historically means ‘clothed’ or ‘surrounded.’  Investment casting employs a shell that is formed around a wax pattern which is then melted and discarded in a furnace to create the casting.

It is a meticulous process carried out in the following steps: 

• Creating the master pattern - An original pattern is created with the same details as the final component with ease for thermal contraction. Also, a master die is created to fit the master pattern.
• Mounting the wax patterns and creating a tree - Liquid wax is poured into the mould to create a wax pattern identical to the final casting. Multiple wax patterns are cast in one batch pour by assembling them into one large pattern and attaching them to a sprue to form a tree.
• Creating a mould shell - The mould known as the investment is produced by dipping the entire wax pattern assembly in a ceramic slurry, stuccoing with sand, and hardening. This process is repeated until the desired thickness is achieved.
• De-waxing - Once the ceramic moulds have fully cured, they are placed in a furnace or an autoclave to melt the wax which is why the process is also known as ‘lost-wax’.
• Sintering and casting - The ceramic tree is stoked at high temperatures to help reach its final strength and get rid of moisture and residual wax. This is also done sometimes to preheat the mould before pouring to allow the metal to stay liquid long enough so that it can better fill the mould with accuracy. The mould is then placed in a tub of sand and the molten metal is poured for its casting. The shell is then hammered or dissolved to release the casting and the sprue is recycled.
• Final Operations - The cast is then grinded and sand/water blasted if needed to provide the desired finishing and coated for optimal surface treatment.

Investment casting can be applied in any industry as it allows the production of a wide variety of products, but it is essential to use the right investment casting material because it eliminates unwanted casting defects and limits the need for secondary processing. Here are few of the many you can use in investment casting:

• Stainless Steel
• Carbon Steel
• Low Alloy Steel
• Aluminium Alloy
• Copper Alloy
• Super Alloy
• Cast Iron

To reiterate, compared to other processes, investment casting can economically offer undercuts, high definition, complex detail and a smooth surface finish and it allows you to have significant freedom for design which is why industrial experts believe it to be the future of manufacturing engineering components. Some experts believe it as a solution as opposed to welding, machining, fabricating and other time-consuming processes. Besides, since each product is produced separately, it allows for specifications and modifications to be incorporated to best suit the purpose. So now that we have convinced you about investment casting, when you need this service, you know where to find us!