Investment casted parts with a red light shining down

Home / Additional Capabilities / Secondary Operations

Secondary Operations

Signicast’s secondary operations deliver a diverse range of manufacturing techniques and treatments that enable us to improve mechanical properties, achieve precise dimensional tolerances, and enhance surface finishes.

Speak to an Engineer

COMPLETE YOUR COMPONENT

Explore the Signicast Secondary Operations Selector

As a one-stop-shop specializing in investment casting and secondary operations, we excel at handling the most challenging parts with precision. This includes scaling up production, accommodating diverse project requirements, and maintaining consistent quality, making us the trusted partner for reputable brands.

Automated Lights-Out Machining & Gauging

Automated lights-out machining and gauging allows for continuous, unattended production with high precision.

Broaching

Broaching precisely cuts complex internal and external shapes, ensuring high dimensional accuracy and smooth surface finishes, reducing additional machining needs.

CNC Machining

CNC machining uses computer-controlled tools to precisely cut and shape investment castings. It removes material from a block of metal, exemplifying the core principle of subtractive manufacturing.

Coining (Hot and Cold)

Hot coining involves applying compressive force at elevated temperatures to improve dimensional accuracy and surface finish by softening the material. Cold coining uses high pressure at room temperature to refine the surface and details of the casting without additional heat.

Drilling

Drilling creates precise holes in investment castings, improving functionality and aiding accurate assembly and fluid passage.

Horizontal Machining

Horizontal machining uses a horizontal spindle to machine investment castings with high precision.

Lathe Turning

In lathe turning, the metal is shaped into cylindrical or symmetrical forms by a cutting tool that removes material.

Reaming

Reaming refines the diameter of pre-drilled holes in metal parts to achieve precise dimensions and smooth surfaces.

Straightening (Hot and Cold)

Hot straightening uses heat to soften the material, allowing for easier correction of warping or distortions in parts. Cold straightening applies force at room temperature to correct distortions.

Tapping

Tapping creates internal threads in metal parts to allow for secure assembly with bolts or screws.

3-Axis Machining

3-axis machining uses three perpendicular axes to cut and shape components, improving dimensional accuracy and detail for complex features and smooth finishes.

4-Axis Machining

4-axis machining adds rotational capability to the standard three axes, allowing parts to be worked on from multiple angles. This creates complex shapes and detailed features with fewer setups.

5-Axis Machining

5-axis machining adds two additional rotational axes, allowing parts to be machined from virtually any angle.

Finishing Operations

Abrasive Media Blast

Abrasive media blasting uses pressurized streams of materials like sand or glass beads to clean and refine components, improve surface texture, remove contaminants, and enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the part.

Thermal Deburr

Thermal deburring removes burrs and sharp edges from parts using high-temperature gases.

Tumble Deburr

Tumble deburring uses a rotating barrel with abrasive media to smooth and clean investment castings, removing burrs and sharp edges.

Vibratory Polishing

Vibratory polishing uses vibrating bowls with abrasive media to smooth and refine metal parts.

Other Operations

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Inspection

APQP inspection involves a structured approach to evaluate and ensure the quality of parts throughout the production process. This ensures parts meet specified standards and customer requirements.

Assembly

Assembly incorporates multiple components into a final product, improving efficiency and ensuring precise fit and function.

Automated Dimensional Inspection

Automated dimensional inspection uses advanced technology to precisely measure and verify the dimensions of components, ensuring they meet specifications while reducing manual errors.

Automated Visual Inspection

Automated visual inspection uses imaging systems to detect defects in components.

Functional Gauging

Functional gauging measures critical features and tolerances of parts to ensure they meet functional requirements.

In-Process CMM

In-process Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) uses real-time measurements to ensure ongoing accuracy, reduce deviations, and minimize the need for post-production corrections.