SBV Stahltechnik:
Your complete partner for investment casting
Investment casting: Implement complex components safely
What is investment casting? What advantages does the process offer and where is it used? Here you will find all the information. SBV Stahltechnik is your contact for precision cast parts made of stainless steel, steel, and aluminum. We economically implement components with complex geometry, defined tolerances, and functional requirements using investment casting.
What investment casting is and why it's needed
Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting or investment casting, is a method for producing metallic components with demanding geometry. The mold is created by a wax model, which is later fully replaced by metal.
This wax model geometrically precisely depicts the future casting part. Through the layer-by-layer construction of a ceramic shell around the model, even fine structures, cavities, and transitions can be cast in detail.
The unique aspect of investment casting is its ability to replicate intricate structures, fine surfaces, and complex (internal) geometries with high dimensional accuracy. This makes the process excellent for applications where conventional manufacturing methods such as machining, welding, or forming reach their limits, for example, due to tight spaces, functional requirements, or hard-to-machine materials.
The process: How the investment casting process works in detail
Produce wax models & assemble wax trees
A precise wax model of the component is created using a wax tool or 3D printing, then several wax models are assembled into a wax tree
Produce ceramic shells and fire them
The wax trees are dipped in liquid slurry in several steps and then sanded. This creates 5-8 layers of ceramic with various coarse sands for flawless surfaces on the casting and enough stability for the stress during casting. The dried ceramic mold is heated, the wax melts out. Then the shell is fired at >1,000°C before casting.
Cast components & demold
During pouring, liquid metal is poured into the fired and still >1000°C hot ceramic mold, after hardening and cooling, the ceramic is destroyed and separated from the casting tree using vibration.
Separate casting tree & process components
The individual components are separated from the casting trees and the gates are ground. Then the components are blasted, annealed, and pickled. If needed, mechanical processing and finishing by coating or heat treatment occurs now.
Applications for Investment Casting
Investment casting parts from SBV Stahltechnik are used wherever functional geometries with defined material properties are required. We produce for customers whose components need not only to be durable but also need to fit precisely into complex systems.
Energy and Marine Technology
stainless casting components for corrosive or thermally stressed environments
Mechanical Engineering
Housing parts, brackets, deflections, connecting elements
Brewery Technology and Food Industry
Components with smooth surfaces for easy cleaning and media contact
Bicycle and Automotive Technology
EGR diffuser housings, engine flanges, footrests, frame and structural parts with limited space, e.g. connector, lever, or strut
Pump Technology
Impellers, sealing surfaces, housings, flanges
Medical Technology
Rotor crosses, prostheses, support arms, holding structures, components made of non-rusting stainless steel
Sanitary Technology
Connectors, special fittings, components with internal threads or complex connections
All projects are individually examined as there are no standard parts, only custom solutions.
From the idea to the assembly-ready solution
With us, the process often begins much earlier than casting. We already advise our customers during the design and development phase regarding material selection, tolerances, and economic feasibility in the investment casting process.
This ensures that your idea becomes a functional and assembly-ready component. After the casting process, the demolded blank is carefully cleaned, deburred, and inspected. We perform further processing exactly where it is most efficient: in our own, long-established plants in Asia. There we carry out precise machining steps such as drilling, milling, turning, or thread cutting.
We also implement complex processing requirements with process reliability. For demanding stainless steels, we additionally offer a coordinated heat treatment in our own hardening shop. The focus is always on accuracy of fit, surface quality, and function in the system.
The result: an assembly-ready investment casting part that many of our customers can integrate directly into their modules, devices, or systems without further rework.
Secure a non-binding consultation with SBV now!
What characterizes investment casting at SBV Stahltechnik
Investment casting offers a range of functional advantages that we specifically use for demanding components:
Geometric Freedom
With investment casting, even very complex shapes can be realized. These include complex interiors, curves with homogeneous transitions, organic structures. The process maps complex shapes with fine grain structures with almost unlimited shape freedom.
Material selection according to requirement
We manufacture investment casting parts from non-rusting stainless steel, steel, and aluminum. Depending on the medium, temperature exposure, or cleaning requirements, we advise on the suitable alloy.
Dimensional accuracy in series
Components are manufactured according to your tolerance specifications. Dimensional fluctuations between the parts of a series are very low due to our stable processes. This ensures dimensional accuracy, stable function, and less scrap.
Smooth surfaces without extensive rework
The surface in investment casting is significantly smoother than in sand casting. Grinding, milling, or polishing is not necessary for most areas.
Design considerations: Casting saves steps
Many functional elements like mounts, snap fits, or reinforcements can be directly depicted in investment casting, without additional manufacturing effort.
Elements like holes, gears, or locks are integrated within the casting to the appropriate tolerances. Fits, threads, or tightly toleranced functional areas are machined as needed to ensure the highest precision and fit.
Reliable series process through our coordination
Casting production takes place in our plants in Asia. We handle the technical coordination with you and coordinate the heat treatment in our own stainless steel hardening shop. This creates a coordinated overall process with fixed contacts.
What makes us a special partner in investment casting
We accompany investment casting projects technically and organizationally. From consultation to the first model to final delivery, we ensure each component fits the application and project goal. We offer a combination of experience, equipment, and customer orientation that is unique in this form.
Our strengths at a glance:
- Connected facilities in Asia for cost-effective production of top parts. Each site has over 100 CNC machining centers and more than 20,000 square meters of production space available.
- Technical consulting on geometry, material selection, and casting-friendly design. You directly speak with experts.
- Certified processes according to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001. Thus, we meet the common requirements for quality, environment, and occupational safety.
- Flexible project handling with interim storage in Germany and on-demand delivery.
- Design and prototyping also for small series, for example through rapid prototyping using 3D printing of wax models.
- Own stainless steel hardening shop in Germany. This allows targeted adjustment of material properties and reduction of lead times.
We don’t deliver standards, we develop individual solutions based on clear requirements. You have a personal contact person at your side for each project.
Secure a non-binding consultation at SBV now!
How an investment casting project proceeds with SBV Steel Technology
We accompany each investment casting project from first contact to final delivery. Our goal is a fitting, economically sensible solution that integrates reliably into your processes. The process is clearly structured and coordinated by a fixed contact person.
Inquiry and initial review
You send us a drawing and 3D data, ideally with material request, quantity, and information on the area of application. We check the technical feasibility and provide a preliminary assessment.
Consultation and offer phase
We clarify open questions, advise on casting and manufacturing technical design, and select the appropriate stainless steel grade with you if needed. Subsequently, you receive a non-binding offer with delivery time, tooling costs, and project planning.
Tool-making and sample production
After commissioning, a final simulation takes place to ensure an optimal casting process. We create the wax tool and manufacture first samples for dimensional inspection, functional evaluation, and approval.
Series approval and production
After your approval, we start series production. The components are manufactured, inspected, and mechanically processed or heat-treated as needed.
Delivery on demand
We deliver the finished investment cast parts on call, in specified lot sizes, or as a complete batch. Interim storage in Germany is possible if needed.
Would you like to implement a component in investment casting or check if an existing part can be replaced with a cast part?
SBV Steel Technology is at your side as a technical contact.
