The process starts with a master pattern (1). A mould is then made using either vulcanized or silicone rubber. When the mould has cured it is cut into 2 half (2) and the original pattern removed. The mould is put back together and the space within is injected full of wax (3). When the wax has cooled it is removed from the mould and is a perfect copy of the original pattern. The waxes are then joined to a central core to form a "tree" (4).
5 Investing
6 Burn out Furnace
7 Casting
8 Cooling
The trees are put inside a steel flask and filled with Investment (5). After the investment has dried, the flasks are placed in a furnace (6) overnight at temperatures up to 850c. During this period the wax inside the flask melts (lost wax) out leaving a perfect hollow impression of the waxes. The metal being used is then melted and 'Cast' (7) into the flasks. The flasks are then left to cool to a suitable temperature (8).
9 Blasting & Cleaning
10 Cutting Off
11 Raw Casting
12 Finished Casting
When cool enough the flasks are immersed in water and the investment is blasted off (9). The metal tree is then cleaned under pressure with water and glass beads. After the tree is dry the individual components are cut (10) from the tree (11) and finished as required (12).
