With investment casting, metal parts are created in a mold made of refractory material. This mold is created by first using injection molding to create wax patterns in the shape of the part, and assembling one or more wax patterns into a wax tree with gates and runners (also made of wax), as well as a pour cup. Then the tree is coated with a shell consisting of multiple layers of ceramic and sand. The wax is melted and drained from the shell. Finally, the shell is fired and made ready for metal pouring. Once the poured mold is cooled, the shell is removed, and the parts are liberated from the tree. Parts may then go through several inspections and secondary operations. See Processes for a more detailed description.

aPriori’s Investment Casting cost model supports a wide range of part types from a broad range of industries, provided that the parts are less than around18 inches in width, length, and height.

For more information, see the following sections