Precision investment casting process

Benefits

Why choose investment casting?

Investment casting is the smart choice for projects that demand metal parts with:

Specialised alloys
Exceptionally tight tolerances
Thin walls for reduced weight
Impressive repeatability
Less waste
Reduced secondary operations
Highly detailed surfaces and markings
Improved reputation for quality/return rate
Reduced tooling costs over multiple production runs

Key features

Investment casting key features

Key features of our advanced investment casting machines include:

Part weight range: a few ounces to 200+ pounds
Part sizes: from the palm of your hand to a basketball
Design flexibility and freedom
Combination of multiple complex parts into one casting
Retention of each combined part's details
Ability to pour multiple alloys into one mould
Minimised stagnant inventory

Compatible materials

Select your investment casting materials

Our wide range of compatible investment casting materials includes:

300-Series Stainless Steels
400-Series Stainless Steels
Aluminium
Carbon & Low Alloy Steels
Cobalt-based Alloys
Nickel
Precipitation Hardened Alloys
Thermally Hardened Alloys
Titanium
Tool Steels

See all technologies

Investment casting, or lost wax casting, involves creating a wax pattern, coating it with ceramic to form a mould, melting out the wax, pouring molten metal into the mould, and then removing the ceramic shell to reveal the metal casting.

Investment casting is versatile enough to handle parts ranging from a few ounces to over 200 pounds. This makes it suitable for projects of any size.

Signicast's advanced technology and automation enable us to swiftly handle any surges or fluctuations in demand. Our continuous-flow system ensures rapid adaptability, effectively managing variable production needs with efficiency.

Success in metal manufacturing involves tackling challenges in design, production, cost control, and delivery. Our engineers help customers navigate challenges and transform nearly every aspect of designing, developing, and producing precision metal components.

From wax to metal

A 10-step guide to investment casting

Step 1: Computerised solidification analysis

Simulates the casting process in advance, eliminating the need for multiple trials and achieving high quality the first time.

Step 2: Tool design and build

Automated to produce patterns efficiently and provide dimensionally consistent patterns.

Step 3: Inject and assemble patterns

Injects semi-solid wax using an in-house automated process to achieve higher dimensional stability.

Step 4: Shell build

Using robotics and other automation reduces the shell-building process by more than five days compared with traditional foundries.

Step 5: Pre-heat oven

The high temperature used to melt out the wax improves both the flow of liquid metal and the final detail of the casting.

Step 6: Pouring

Automated pouring allows us to reach ultra-high temperatures and use spectrographic analysis to meet specifications.

Step 7: Shell and part removal

A proprietary process removes the castings, while shell removal is carried out using high-pressure water jets and a hot chemical bath.

Step 8: Finishing

Our blast-cleaning operation, using abrasive grit or steel shot, grinds and finishes the part to a smooth surface.

Step 9: In-house secondary operations

Our treatments and services, such as value-added plating, painting, assembly, and machining, work hand in hand with our modules to make your part ready for assembly.

Step 10: Delivery

Just-in-time delivery ensures you do not hold excess inventory.

Beyond the basics

Elevate your knowledge of Signicast investment casting

Video

Introduction to Signicast

Engineering team inspecting parts for quality assurance

February 2, 2026

Article

Signicast’s quality assurance approach for scalable production

White Paper

Investment casting design guide

Explore other investment casting technologies

Optimise design, precision, and efficiency with our comprehensive solutions.

See all technologies

Machining

In-house component precision and functionality

SOPHIA® process

Enhanced component geometry and mechanical properties for aerospace

Automation

Unlock control, quality and speed

Investment casting process