<p>Signicast delivers metal investment castings that drive innovation and growth across multiple sectors.</p>

Construction site with an excavator and dump truck

Signicast_Industries_Other Markets.jpg

More industries

Speak to an engineer

Large Square Card_Zinc.jpg

Investment casting ensures the reliable performance of fluid systems by producing components with complex internal geometries, tight tolerances, corrosion resistance, and precise surface finishes.

Fluid technologies

Large Square Card_Magnesium.jpg

Investment casting produces critical components such as pumps, valves and downhole tools, delivering high precision, durability and resistance to harsh conditions.

Mining & oilfield

Large Square Card_Aluminum.jpg

Signicast investment casting delivers precision and durability for the locks and hardware sector, enhancing security and reliability in critical components.

Locks & hardware

Investment casting supports various industries by delivering components with precision, durability and cost-efficiency.

Other industries

Industry leaders choose Signicast to help achieve key goals

Search all certifications

Certification.png

Industry-leading certifications

View all resources

<p>Investment casting has become engineers’ preferred process due to its ability to deliver superior functionality across a wide range of alloys. Do you know the key factors in <a href="/additional-capabilities/engineering" target="_self">investment casting design</a> that deliver the highest-performing precision components?</p><h2>Designing for performance</h2><p>Success in investment casting requires a more comprehensive view of the entire design process: how the component fits into the overall product, the precise form it must take, and the functional efficiency it must deliver.</p><p> In this mini-guide, we provide an overview of the key elements for designing higher-performing precision components with investment casting, including:</p><ul><li>Tighter tolerances</li><li>Ensuring repeatability</li><li>Tool redesign and orientation</li><li>Minimising wall thickness, and more</li></ul><p><strong> Download this free whitepaper on “Designing for performance” by completing the form.</strong></p>

Introduction to Signicast Video

Download this guide to learn how to design parts optimized for investment casting, including draft angles, radii, wall thickness, and practical tooling tips.

Signicast Design Guide | Investment Casting PDF

This whitepaper provides key design tips for investment casting to achieve high-performance precision components. 

Investment Casting Design Guide

<p>With many businesses looking towards additive manufacturing to address their <a href="/additional-capabilities/prototyping" target="_self">rapid prototyping needs</a>, there is a rise in products that are unable to successfully transition from the drawing board to mass production. While many manufacturers can produce functional prototypes for testing, ensuring that these prototypes are viable and contribute value to a programme presents an entirely different challenge.  </p><p>Learn how working with a team of experienced engineers can effectively streamline a project from design conception to functional testing and, ultimately, a successful programme launch.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Topics covered will include:</strong></p><ul><li>Solution-specific prototypes</li><li>Alloy properties and flexibility</li><li>Concurrent engineering</li><li>Vertical integration</li><li>Prototyping options</li></ul><p><strong>Complete the form to watch the webinar on demand.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Signicast Investment Casting Engineering Video

Explore how Signicast’s rapid prototyping accelerates design validation and enables a seamless transition to scalable, repeatable production at scale.

Rapid prototyping for casting | Signicast webinar

Explore the challenges of transitioning prototypes to production and learn how collaborating with experienced engineers can streamline the process, covering topics such as solution-specific prototypes, alloy selection, concurrent engineering, vertical integration and prototyping options.

Prototyping for production

<p>The healthcare industry constantly evolves, and recent years have seen an increased need for innovations in medical technology and portable, durable devices. Simultaneously, there's a growing demand for <a href="/industries/medical" target="_self">medical components</a> that are not only high-performing but also compatible with the human body over sustained use.</p><p>For many years, stainless steel was considered the only material suitable for manufacturing medical equipment. However, aluminum and cobalt chromium alloys have recently found a place in the medical market.</p><p>Signicast investment castings leverage each of these alloys, along with precision capabilities and tight tolerances, for the best performance in the industry.  </p><h2>Stainless steel alloys for medical-grade equipment</h2><p>While innovations in materials for the medical industry are ever-changing, stainless steel remains a top choice for most medical equipment manufacturers due to its low and high-temperature resistance, high strength, and biocompatible properties. Investment casting allows for the engineering of necessary complex geometries into the casting, enhancing part performance and reliability. <a href="/materials/300-series-stainless-steels" target="_self">Signicast's stainless steel alloys</a> include different combinations of nickel, chromium, and carbon. Depending on the application, one can choose between the 300 or the <a href="/materials/400-series-stainless-steels" target="_self">400 series stainless steels</a>.  </p><ul><li>The 400-series comprises 25% nickel, 1% carbon, and 11-27% chromium.</li></ul><ul><li>The 300-series contains 6-25% nickel and 16-30% chromium.</li></ul><p>If high strength and cost reduction are priorities, the 400-series might be the right choice. However, for applications needing high strength, high corrosion resistance, and property retention at high temperatures, the 300-series group could be more effective.</p><p>Connecting with a Signicast metallurgist is recommended to determine the best-suited material for specific requirements. There might be an option available that hasn't been considered yet.</p><h2>Aluminum alloys for Class 1 &amp; 2 devices and housings</h2><p>While stainless steels meet biocompatibility and strength requirements for Class 1 and 2 medical devices, their weight can be a limiting factor in usability. <a href="/materials/aluminum" target="_self">Aluminum alloys</a> often offer lower total costs while maintaining a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to stainless steels. Additionally, aluminum inherently creates aluminum oxide when exposed to oxidizing agents, forming a protective layer that prevents further oxidation and weakness of the component. This is where lightweight aluminum has found its place in the market, producing medical components for applications like handheld surgical devices and portable medical equipment that need to be durable, lightweight, and easy to use while also passing stringent FDA regulations.</p><h2>Cobalt alloys (ASTM-75) for implantable devices</h2><p>Signicast has utilized <a href="/materials/cobalt-based-alloys" target="_self">cobalt alloys</a> as an alternative to stainless steel, particularly for implantable devices. Cobalt-Chromium, which is ferromagnetic, is very strong even at very high temperatures and has high corrosion and wear resistance compared to other metals. It is also entirely biocompatible, making it suitable for implantable devices.</p><h2>Medical component manufacturer</h2><p>Medical devices, whether Class 1 or 2, have components that should meet and/or exceed the necessary efficiency and safety requirements set by governing bodies, as well as the physical and mechanical properties required by the manufacturer. This calls for extra care when choosing the material for such devices and the right manufacturing partner for a successful program launch.</p>

Dynacast_Resources_Medical Equipment

See how Signicast meets rigorous biocompatibility, cleanliness, and dimensional standards for implantable and surgical-grade cast parts in medical applications.

Medical-Grade Castings | Signicast Industry Article

Medical grade investment casting utilizes stainless steel, aluminum, and cobalt alloys to produce high-performance, biocompatible components for diverse medical applications, demanding careful material selection and a knowledgeable manufacturing partner. 

Medical Grade Investment Castings

Elevate your knowledge of investment casting for your industry

Abstract Signicast red pattern on a dark background

More industries

Industry leaders choose Signicast to help achieve key goals

Fluid technologies

Mining & oilfield

Locks & hardware

Other industries

Industry-leading certifications

Beyond the basics

Elevate your knowledge of investment casting for your industry

White Paper

Webinar

Article

Global reach, local expertise

Interested in starting your investment casting project?