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Investment Castings: Precision Metal Parts for Any Industry
Welcome to Laube’s Investment Castings page! If you’re looking for high-quality, precision-engineered metal components, investment castings provide a reliable and versatile solution. This centuries-old casting method, also known as “lost wax casting,” allows for the creation of intricate shapes and designs with unmatched accuracy. At Laube, we specialize in delivering superior investment castings tailored to meet your industry’s most demanding requirements.
What Are Investment Castings?
Investment casting is a manufacturing process where a wax pattern is coated with a ceramic shell to create a mold. Once the wax is melted out, molten metal is poured into the mold to form a precise and detailed casting. This process is ideal for producing complex geometries and high-performance components.
Learn more about castings and their capabilities on our page, Custom Metal Castings.
Benefits of Investment Castings:
- Exceptional Precision: Achieves tight tolerances and complex shapes.
- Material Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of metals, including titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum.
- Smooth Surface Finish: Minimal need for secondary machining.
- Efficient Production: Reduces material waste and energy use.
- Scalable: Ideal for both low- and high-volume production.
Why Choose Laube for Investment Castings?
At Laube, we combine decades of experience, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to quality to deliver investment castings that exceed expectations. A custom quote if required for investment castings.
1. Expert Craftsmanship
We produce investment castings for a variety of applications, including:
- Electric Motor Housings
- Gearboxes
- Pump Housings and Parts
- Valve Bodies and Fire Sprinkler Parts
- Architectural Elements
- Marine Components
- Sporting Equipment
2. Advanced Finishing Services
Enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your investment castings with our comprehensive finishing options:
- Painting: Durable protective coatings in a variety of finishes.
- Plating: Enhanced corrosion resistance for challenging environments.
- Powder Coating: Long-lasting, vibrant finishes for industrial and commercial use.
3. Sustainability
Investment casting is inherently sustainable, and we take it further:
- Minimal Waste: The precision of the process reduces excess material use.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Partnering with suppliers who share our sustainability goals.
The Investment Casting Process at Laube
Here’s how we deliver precision and quality through investment casting:
1. Wax Pattern Creation
A wax pattern is crafted to match the exact dimensions of the desired component.
2. Shell Building
The wax pattern is coated with a ceramic shell to form a robust mold.
3. Dewaxing
The wax is melted out, leaving a hollow cavity for the molten metal.
4. Metal Pouring
Molten metal is poured into the ceramic mold and allowed to solidify.
5. Shell Removal
The ceramic mold is broken away, revealing the metal casting.
6. Finishing and Inspection
Each casting undergoes cleaning, machining, and rigorous quality checks to ensure precision.
Applications of Investment Castings
Investment castings are widely used across industries:
- Aerospace: High-performance components for engines and structures.
- Automotive: Lightweight and durable parts for enhanced fuel efficiency.
- Medical: Biocompatible implants and surgical tools.
- Industrial: Precision gears, housings, and brackets.
- Defense: Critical components for weapons systems and military equipment.
Find about more about castings and how they are used in architecture on our page, Architectural Metal Castings.
Where Investment Casting Delivers Exceptional Value
Investment casting is highly valued across a wide range of industries for its ability to produce intricate, high-performance components with precision. Common applications include:
Turbine Blades: Complex, hollow blades made from high-temperature alloys for gas and steam turbines.
Automotive Components: Ideal for both racing and high-volume production of internal combustion engine (ICE) parts.
Turbocharger Parts: Precisely cast radial turbines that demand durability and aerodynamic accuracy.
Jewelry & Decorative Items: Perfect for detailed, custom, and small-batch production.
Dental Applications: Used in both large-scale dental implants and custom crown and bridge metalwork.
Orthopedic Implants: Custom-shaped implants tailored for individual patients and medical needs.
Whether it’s for mass production or one-off custom builds, investment casting consistently delivers quality, complexity, and reliability.
Investment Castings Materials
Our investment castings can be produced using a variety of metals to meet specific application needs:
- Stainless Steel: For corrosion resistance and strength.
- Titanium: Ideal for lightweight, high-performance components.
- Aluminum: Excellent for lightweight and corrosion-resistant parts.
- Brass and Bronze: Superior for decorative and industrial applications.
Benefits of Working with Laube On Your Investment Casting Project
- Precision Engineering: Tight tolerances for intricate designs.
- Versatility: Custom solutions for diverse industries and applications.
- Reliability: On-time delivery and consistent quality.
- Customer Support: Expert guidance to help you select the right materials and processes.
Are Investment Cast Parts Expensive?
The short answer: it depends. While investment cast parts aren’t typically considered “cheap,” they are widely recognized as cost-effective, especially when compared to alternative manufacturing methods. Here’s why:
Reduced Assembly Costs: When a part would normally require multiple components and assembly, investment casting can produce it as a single, integrated piece—saving time and labor.
Complex Geometries Made Simple: For parts with intricate shapes that are difficult or impossible to produce in a single-stage process, investment casting is often the most practical—and sometimes the only—solution.
Precision and Quality: When dimensional accuracy, fine surface finish, and material integrity are more important than upfront cost, investment casting delivers unmatched value and performance.
In short, investment casting makes the most sense when complexity, precision, and quality matter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Castings
Q: What metals are suitable for investment casting?
A: Investment casting works with a variety of metals, including stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and more.
Q: How accurate is the investment casting process?
A: Investment casting achieves exceptional precision, often within ±0.005 inches per inch.
Q: Is investment casting cost-effective for small production runs?
A: Yes, it’s ideal for both low- and high-volume production due to minimal tooling costs.
Q: Can Laube Technology produce custom investment castings?
A: Absolutely! We specialize in tailoring solutions to meet your exact specifications.
Q: What industries benefit most from investment castings?
A: Industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and defense rely heavily on investment casting for high-performance components.
Contact Laube for Precision Investment Castings
At Laube, we pride ourselves on delivering investment castings that combine precision, quality, and reliability. Whether you need components for aerospace, automotive, or industrial applications, we’re here to help.
AdditionalResources on Investment Castings
For more information on Investment Castings, check out the following sources:
Call us today (805-388-1050) to get a quick and easy quote, or fill out our contact form below.
Our Location
550 Via Alondra, Camarillo, CA 93012, United States