INCREASE PRODUCTION TIME AND COSTS RELATIVE BY USING THE OLDEST PROCESS

Investment casting is oldest process of manufacturing products. The wax pattern is melted out of the mold after it has been formed that why it is also known as lost wax casting. Lost wax processes are one to one, which increase production time and costs relative to other casting process. However, since the mold is shattered during the process, parts with intricate and complex geometries can be created.

Investment casting can make use of most metals, most commonly using bronze alloys, magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, tool steels, stainless steel and cast iron. This process is useful for casting metals with high melting temperatures that cannot be molded in plaster or metal. Parts that are usually made by investment casting process include with complex geometry such as turbine blades or firearm components. High temperature application is also common, which includes parts for the aircraft, automotive and military industries. This process requires the use of wax, metal die, ceramic slurry, molten metal, furnace and any machines needed for sandblasting, cutting or grinding. The process includes the following:

• ·     Pattern creatio
•     Mold creation
•     Pouring
•     Cooling
•         Casting
•          Finishing

Precision casting is also known as the lost wax process as well as one of the oldest manufacturing processes. Metals that are hard to machine or fabricate are good candidates for this process.  Normal manufacturing techniques cannot produce the products like this process, such as turbine blades that have complex shapes or airplane parts that have to withstand high temperatures. The types of material that can be cast are aluminum alloys, stainless steels, Stellite; bronzes, tool steels, Hastelloys and precious metals through this process. Parts, which are produces from precision castings often, do not require any additional machining, because of the close tolerances that can be achieved. Precision casting offers a combination of features that can explain to cost saving benefits:

·         DESIGN FREEDOM – This process is capable producing parts with complex holes, Slots, Lettering, bevels.

·         WIDE CHOICE OF ALLOY- One can cast any kind of ferrous air melt able alloys like carbon and low alloy steels, tools steels, stainless steels, high nickel alloys, high cobalt alloys.

·         REDUCE PRODUCTION COSTS- the high geometrical complexity and tight tolerances that can be reached with this process can reduced costly machining operation.

·         CUT TOOLING COSTS- the tooling of this process is usually much less expensive than tooling for other casting methods.

Author bios: author has experience of working in plastic and metal company and wants to share his experience with readers.