Precision Investment Casting Sourcing Services

Investment casting is ideal for hard-to-machine metals and complex designs. That’s why it’s important to work with trusted manufacturers equipped for your unique project requirements. Compass & Anvil works with reliable manufacturers who use state-of-the-art CAD/CAM software to create highly advanced 3D surface models. Not only can you count on us to ensure your investment cast design needs are met, but we can also save you time and money by streamlining the vetting process and providing hands-on facilitation throughout production.

Compass & Anvil has 30-year-long partnerships with several on and offshore casting manufacturers. We can simplify all aspects of design and production, including materials identification, manufacturability analysis, proposal & negotiations, flexibility with specs, pricing & deadlines, schedule enforcement, and more. Contact us today to get started.

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Investment Casting for Metal Components

Investment casting or precision investment casting is one of the oldest recognized techniques of metal forming. The process can involve using a wax model as the mold, or by using the model to create a copy that could be used for future molds.

Investment Casting Process

Investment mold casting traditionally includes four manufacturing steps:

1. Pattern Creation – Using specialized waxes or other refractory materials, an original pattern is created for the components that are to be generated.
2. Mold Creation – The pattern is used to create a master mold (or die) that includes a gating system to allow molten metal to be poured into the pattern elements. The mold is usually made by coating the wax (or other material) pattern with a ceramic or metal shell and then melting out the original pattern, leaving a durable shell.
3. Pouring – Molten metal is poured through the gating system and into the mold, and then allowed to cool and solidify.
4. Removal – Once metal has cooled, the mold can be broken, and the gating segments removed.
5. Finishing – The casting is finished to product specifications using a number of methods, including heat treatment, grinding, polishing, or sandblasting.

Investment Mold Casting Advantages

Investment casting offers several advantages, including the following:

• Consistency and accuracy of design
• Ability to meet tight tolerances
• Allows for a high level of versatility
• Ideal for creating complex parts
• Affordable tooling

Common Investment Cast Alloys and Investment Cast Parts

Commonly used die cast alloys include:

• Stainless Steel
  • Used in aerospace, defense, and other applications that require non-corrosive parts.
  • Provides high tensile strength and great aesthetic value. Other applications include food storage, medical devices, and plumbing parts.
• Carbon Steel
  • Carbon steel produces precision parts that are resistant to abrasion. Cost effective and easy to machine. Can be heat treated to improve its ductility.
  • Can be used in the mining, military, and industrial industries.
• Aluminum
  • Lightweight with exceptional corrosion resistance. Has high electrical and thermal conductivity. Recyclable.
  • Common aluminum investment cast parts include automotive castings, heat sinks, valves, medical devices, and more.
• Nickel Alloys
  • Highly versatile material. Provides excellent corrosion resistance and can withstand high temperatures.
  • Ideal for demanding applications, such as those required in the oil, gas, medical, aerospace, and defense industries.
• Copper Alloys
  • Provides similar strength to steel with versatile mechanical properties. High ductility and corrosion resistance.
  • Common applications include gears, pumps, bearings, plumping fixtures, and more.

Let Us Find the Right Investment Casting Manufacturer for Your Project

Join the network of companies who rely on Compass & Anvil to simplify their product manufacturing needs. Compass & Anvil can connect you with experienced manufacturers to handle your investment cast project from start to finish. Our domestic and global partners work with all types of metals to produce castings using methods such as Die Casting, Permanent Mold Casting, Sand Casting, and Metal Prototypes. Contact us for more information or email us today to receive a no-obligation quote. We will get back to you within 3-7 business days to begin discussing your project requirements.