Investment Casting Foundry
Precision Investment Castings
SF&E delivers world-class quality investment castings for industry leaders with proven short lead times. Located in Milwaukee, WI – USA, we work with over 250 different alloys and have one of the most experienced foundry team in place – from our engineering and quality teams to our foundry and sales personnel.
Investment Casting, also known as “lost wax” casting, offers affordable precision and is an alternative to fabrications, forgings, or parts machined from bar stock.
What is Investment Casting?
The process of investment casting involves wax injected into an aluminum die block. The wax impression is removed from the die, then dipped in a slurry to create a ceramic stucco shell. The wax is melted out of the shell and then heated in an oven to prepare for pouring. Then molten metal is poured in the shell. Once cooled, the ceramic outer layer is removed and the part proceeds to a cleaning room for final cutting and grinding.
Why and When to Choose Investment Casting?
Investment casting is preferred for its near net shape with a close tolerance to the final finished part and a naturally smooth finish. Our highly experienced foundry team meets the world’s most demanding specifications through a consistently monitored approach.
- Cost-effective production of complex parts
- Produce multiple complex castings in one batch, near their net shape.
- Save money and time by no to minimal additional machining.
- Cut production costs and timeline by 50% when converting a machined and welded part to a single form casting.
- Highly complex geometry – We can cast walls as thin as 1/8th of an inch, and work with ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Near net shape – High-quality investment castings have a close tolerance to the final finished part and a natural smooth finish.
- Structural strength – Single form castings can be more structurally sound than welded machined parts – welded seams can weaken over time.
- Small parts – Final casting from ounces to 150 pounds.
Not sure which type of casting is best to produce your parts? Check out Investment vs Sand Casting – Differences and Advantages, or just talk to us today.
Our Investment Casting Capabilities
Assembly and Dip
14 wax presses ranging from 27 to 70 tons. Automated dipping room with a daily capacity of 400 to 600 molds dependent on mold size.
Melt
Three induction melt power supplies with seven furnaces. Furnace sizes range from 190 lbs. to 1000 lbs. giving Stainless Foundry & Engineering flexibility in scheduling by weight and alloy.
Cleaning
To meet the variable needs of our customers castings in size, shape and alloy, we have a diverse equipment list that includes three different cutoff options, four finish blasting medias (Aluminum oxide, Stainless steel wire, steel shot, bead blast), straightening presses and on-site NDT including RT, PT, MT, VT and UT.
Investment Casting Process
