AREN'T INVESTMENT CASTINGS EXPENSIVE? AND IF SO, HOW CAN THEY SAVE ME MONEY?

While investment castings are generally more expensive than forged parts or those produced by other casting methods, they make up for the higher cost through the reduction of machining achieved by the near net shape tight tolerances that can be held as cast. Many parts that require milling, turning, drilling, and grinding to finish can be investment cast with only .020 - .030 finish stock. Again, it is imperative for the engineering staff of the foundry and customer to get together and discuss what can or cannot be cast to determine final finishing requirements and the potential cost savings.