| Process |
Investment
Casting |
Die
Casting |
Forgings |
Machined
Components |
Brazed/Welded
Assemblies |
Sand
Castings |
Powdered
Metal |
Tolerance
Control |
High |
High |
Medium |
Very High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Design
Freedom |
Very High |
High |
Low |
High |
High |
Medium |
Low |
Material
Options |
Very Wide |
Very Narrow |
Medium |
Wide |
Narrow |
Medium |
Wide |
| Lead Time |
Low/Medium |
Long |
Long |
Short |
Long |
Medium |
Long |
General
Appearence |
High |
High |
Low |
Very High |
Low |
Low |
High |
|
| The
Bottom Line - Part I: Cost Comparisons - Low Volume |
| Process Piece
Price |
Medium |
N/A |
Medium |
High |
High |
Low |
N/A |
| Tooling
Cost |
Low/Medium |
N/A |
High |
High |
High |
Low |
N/A |
| Secondary
Machining |
Low |
N/A |
High |
High |
Medium |
High |
N/A |
|
| The
Bottom Line - Part II: Cost Comparisons - High
Volume |
| Process Piece
Price |
Medium |
Low |
Low |
High |
Medium |
Low |
Low |
| Tooling
Cost |
Low |
High |
Medium |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
| Secondary
Machining |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
Medium |
|
| Summary of Advantages to Investment Casting over other Processes |
Die
Casting |
Investment
casting has a far greater selection of alloys to use.
Investment cast parts are made with a superior part strength
and less costly tooling, and offer the ability to produce more
complex designs. |
| Forgings |
Investment castings have no draft requirements, and
the expanded pool of materials allows for the use of stronger
materials. The process itself allows for the elimination of
most machining and a much improved overall appearance of the
parts. |
Machined
Components |
In addition
to improved strength-to-part weight, investment casting can
produce a complexity of shapes that cannot be accomplished in
the machining process. Investment casting also comes out ahead
in lead times for complicated, high-volume runs, reduced labor
and less material waste. |
Brazed
or
Welded
Assemblies |
With investment casting, there is no need to produce
more than one piece for any part. On top of ending up with a
better part in appearance and quality, the need for machining,
welding, brazing and polishing is eliminated. This obviously
reduces time and material requirements. |
Sand
Castings |
Not only does
investment casting produce better surface finishes and more
precise part tolerances, it also reduces the need for
secondary operations, offers a wider range of alloys and gives
you the ability to produce smaller and more complex
parts. |
Powdered
Metal |
With a greater selection of alloys, you can lower
tooling costs and reduce tool wear. Under less confining
design restrictions, using investment casting also gives you
shorter lead times on parts that have greater strength and
ductility. |
