The Advantages of Investment Casting: Achieving Fine Finishes with Alcon Industries

In the world of precision manufacturing, investment casting has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile and reliable casting methods available today. When fine detail, tight tolerances, and superior surface finish are non-negotiable, investment casting delivers. At Alcon Industries, we combine this proven technique with cutting-edge induction melting technology to create high-integrity castings for mission-critical applications.

From aerospace components to defense hardware and high-performance industrial parts, Alcon’s investment casting process offers unparalleled consistency, efficiency, and design flexibility.

What Is Investment Casting?

Investment casting, also known as lost-wax casting, is a manufacturing process that allows for the creation of complex metal parts with minimal machining. The process begins by creating a wax model of the final part. This wax pattern is then “invested” in a ceramic slurry to build a shell around it. Once the ceramic shell hardens, the wax is melted out—leaving a hollow mold ready to receive molten metal.

The result? A near-net-shape metal component that accurately replicates the original wax model with fine surface details and minimal post-processing.

Key Advantages of Investment Casting

1. Design Flexibility for Complex Parts

One of the most significant advantages of investment casting is its ability to produce parts with intricate geometries. Internal cavities, undercuts, thin walls, and sophisticated contours are easily achievable. This makes the process ideal for parts that would be difficult—or even impossible—to manufacture with traditional machining or sand casting techniques.

2. Exceptional Surface Finish

The smooth ceramic mold used in investment casting results in a naturally clean surface finish. Typical parts achieve finishes in the 125 RMS range or better, reducing or eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations. This is a key differentiator for industries like aerospace and medical, where surface quality directly affects performance and reliability.

3. Tight Dimensional Tolerances

Investment casting achieves outstanding accuracy, often holding tolerances within ±0.005 inches per inch. This precision minimizes the need for costly machining, while also ensuring that parts consistently meet design specifications—critical in regulated industries such as defense and energy.

4. Material Versatility

Another major advantage is the ability to cast a wide range of alloys. Alcon Industries specializes in pouring stainless steels, cobalt and nickel-based superalloys, aluminum, and specialty metals. This flexibility allows customers to select materials based on performance criteria such as heat resistance, corrosion resistance, wear properties, and mechanical strength.

5. Reduced Material Waste and Cost Savings

By producing near-net-shape parts, investment casting significantly reduces raw material waste. This is especially important when working with high-cost alloys, where every ounce saved matters. Less waste and minimal machining also lead to lower overall production costs and shorter lead times.

Alcon Industries’ Investment Casting Capabilities

Alcon Industries brings more than 50 years of experience to every casting project. Our fully integrated facility in Cleveland, Ohio is equipped with:

• State-of-the-art Induction Furnaces: These advanced melting systems allow for precise temperature control and clean, consistent melts—critical for metallurgical integrity.
• On-site Tooling and Shell Room: We manage every aspect of the casting process in-house, from wax pattern creation to ceramic shell building.
• Versatile Casting Capacity: We produce parts ranging from a few ounces to 100 pounds, in both prototype and full production volumes.
• Advanced Quality Control: Our process includes rigorous inspection at every stage, including dimensional verification, X-ray, and non-destructive testing when required.
• Engineering Expertise: Our team collaborates with clients during the design phase to ensure castability and optimal performance. Design for manufacturability (DFM) is at the core of every project.

Bringing Innovation to Life with Alcon

At Alcon Industries, investment casting is more than just a manufacturing process—it’s a collaborative partnership built around precision, reliability, and performance. Our clients trust us to deliver mission-critical components that perform in the harshest environments—from jet engines and turbine housings to medical equipment and military hardware.

We also utilize simulation software during the design and engineering phase to model fluid flow, solidification, and shrinkage. This advanced capability allows us to identify potential defects before a single part is poured, reducing risk and accelerating time-to-market.

Let’s Build Something Great Together

When you choose Alcon Industries, you gain a dedicated partner with the technology, expertise, and commitment to bring your most complex designs to life—flawlessly, efficiently, and on time.

Contact us today to learn more about how our investment casting solutions can elevate your next project.