Ceramic Injection Machines

DIE MAKING USED FOR PRODUCING WAX PATTERNS: This is the most important first step in the entire investment casting process. […]

This is the process where the ceramic shell is built around the wax trees / assemblies. The most economical and popular process is the dip process. This process is extremely versatile and offers very accurate control of the shell properties. The dip process; The wax tree is invested with ceramic coatings, layer by layer, until a sufficiently thick mould is formed. The wax tree is first dipped in ceramic slurry and dry sand is sprinkled (‘ stuccoed ‘) on it. A number of such coats (slurry plus sand) are applied until the desired thickness is achieved. The dipping procedure;

The procedure for determining and controlling silica content in colloidal silica slurry follows: Determination of soluble silica in slurries

Investment casting wax materials are blend of numerous complex compounds. Each compound has been included to influence the final properties of the wax in some way. A few points that affect the quality of a casting wax and hence pattern production are listed.

In the future the industry is likely to become more sophisticated and therefore wax and its quality control will increase in sophistication also. The wax of the future should be a low price, high quality material that can be reclaimed. In a competitive world it would be good to think wax manufacturers could aim to achieve this ideal. However, the reality of the situation is that with increased emphasis on understanding properties and quality control a compromise must be made on cost depending largely on the nature of the casting to be produced, the process used and the market the foundry is operating in.