INVESTMENT CASTING
 Investment casting is a versatile process, used to manufacture parts ranging from turbocharger wheels to golf club heads, from electronic boxes to hip replacement implants. The industry, though heavily dependent on aerospace and defence outlets, has expanded to meet a widening range of applications. Modern investment casting has its roots in the demands of the Second World War, but it was the adoption of jet propulsion for military and then for civilian aircraft that stimulated the transformation of the ancient craft of lost wax casting into one of the foremost techniques of modern industry.
Investment casting expanded greatly worldwide during the 1980s, in particular to meet growing demands for aircraft engine and airframe parts. Today, investment casting is a leading part of the foundry industry.
WHY CHOOSE INVESTMENT CASTINGS?
 Investment castings have significant advantages over other manufacturing technologies. In general, investment castings demand the fewest design restrictions of any metal-working process. The more demanding the part configuration is, the more advantageous the investment casting process is.
A summary of the unique benefits of the investment casting process follows:
- ， Design Freedom:
- ， Reduced Machining:
- ， Reduced Fabrication:
- ， Good Mechanical Properties:
- ， Superior Aesthetics:
- ， Reproducibility:
DIE CASTING
 Die casting is similar to permanent mold casting except that the metal is injected into the mold under high pressure of 10-210Mpa (1,450-30,500) psi . This results in a more uniform part, generally good surface finish and good dimensional accuracy. For many parts, post-machining can be eliminated, or very light machining may be required to bring dimensions to size.
Die casting is a versatile process for producing engineered metal parts by forcing molten metal under high pressure into reusable steel molds. These molds, called dies, can be designed to produce complex shapes with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. Parts can be sharply defined, with smooth or textured surfaces, and are suitable for a wide variety of attractive and serviceable finishes.
Die castings are among the highest volume, mass-produced items manufactured by the metalworking industry, and they can be found in thousands of consumer, commercial and industrial products. Die cast parts are important components of products ranging from automobiles to toys.
Die casting engineers commonly choose among three different types of metal alloys - magnesium, aluminum, and zinc. |
