Investment casting − description of the process
In investment casting, the master patterns are 3D-printed from PMMA. Several patterns are added to a cluster and invested into a ceramic slurry which is hardened to form the mold. A furnace is used to melt out the wax-like master patterns, thus creating a cavity into which the metal (e.g. aluminum and zamak) can be poured. After cooling, the sprue is cut off. The surface of the produced parts is identical to the surface of the master pattern. Minimum wall thickness is 0.8 mm.