Casting

Sand casting is a casting process in which the mold is made of sand into which the molten metal is poured. The sand mold consists of a mixture of natural sand, clay and water. Once the molten metal has solidified in the mold, the sand mold is destroyed and the casting is removed. Post-processing is often required for sand casting. Sand casting is a cost-effective casting process that can also be used for small series.

In permanent mold casting, the molten metal is poured into permanent metal molds. These molds can be used multiple times. Permanent mold casting is particularly characterized by a high surface quality and dimensional accuracy and is often used for the series production of metal parts.

Centrifugal casting is a casting process in which the molten metal is poured into a rotating mold. The centrifugal force creates a dense and uniform structure. Centrifugal casting is often used for the production of cylindrical components such as pipes, rings and bushes. Centrifugal casting is characterized by good material density and material properties.

Investment casting, also known as precision casting or lost wax process, allows the production of cast parts with very smooth surfaces and tight tolerances. In this casting process, the model of the part is first made of wax or another meltable material. The model is then coated with a refractory material. This results in the necessary casting mold. After the wax has been melted out, the liquid metal is poured into the resulting hollow form. Investment casting is particularly characterized by the smooth surfaces of the casting and the ability to produce complex geometries.

Vacuum casting is a special casting process in which the casting mold is placed under vacuum before the molten material is poured in. This minimizes the formation of gas bubbles and oxidation. Vacuum casting is often used for high-quality applications where a high density and purity of the material is required. Due to the higher quality and fewer inclusions of the casting, vacuum casting is also associated with higher costs.