Castings
Sand Casting
Process
Sand casting is the most common with virtually no limit to the size of casting that can be made. Though not very precise in dimension or detail, sand mold casting is the least expensive. Usually found as horizontally oriented halves, the upper part of the sand mold is called the “cope” and the lower half the “drag.” Sands for the molds are classified as green-sand molds, no-bake molds, and in-shell molds. Each produce castings of particular quality characteristics and detail and are also selected according to the metal being cast and finish requires. Also used are no-bake sand molds, metal-shell molds, plaster molds, and ceramic molds. Each is suitable in its own way for castings of a particular size, fineness of detail, and dimensional accuracy.
Materials (Not Limited to):
Al 356
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Investment Casting
Process
Investment casting is also known as the “lost-wax process” because the pattern material, wax, is consumed during the mold making process. Some plastics may also be substituted for the more commonly used wax. Investment casting patterns are produce by injection molding. As the patterns are consumed, multiple patterns are assembled on a pattern “tree.” The subsequent shell mold is produced by dipping the pattern in a slurry mix several times with a drying period between dips. The wax pattern is then melted out, leaving the hollow mold. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be investment cast. Such castings exhibit close tolerances, thin cross sections, and smooth finishes.
Materials(Not limited to):
Carbon Steel, Cobalt Based Materials, Low Alloy Steel, Stainless Steel, Copper Based Alloys, Nickel Based Alloys, Tool Steel