1. Uvod
OEM investment casting, također poznat kao izgubljeni voštani lijev, is a cornerstone of modern precision manufacturing.
This process enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to produce intricate metal components with exceptional dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
Povijesno, investment casting dates back over 5,000 godina, with early applications in creating jewelry and art.
Danas, it serves critical roles in industries such as aerospace, automobilski, medicinski, i energija.
The strategic importance of investment casting for OEMs lies in its ability to produce complex geometries that are challenging or impossible to achieve through other manufacturing methods.
This capability allows for the consolidation of multiple parts into single components, reducing assembly time and potential points of failure.
Naduti, the process supports a wide range of metals and alloys, offering OEMs flexibility in material selection to meet specific performance requirements.
2. What Is OEM Investment Casting?
An Original Equipment Manufacturer designs and assembles finished products, often sourcing specialized components from outside suppliers.
U investicijskom kastingu, OEMs provide detailed CAD models, material specifications, and performance requirements to foundries.
The foundries then translate those designs into wax patterns, keramički kalupi, i, ultimately, precision metal parts.
This partnership lets OEMs focus on system integration and market strategy while leveraging foundries’ metallurgical expertise and production capacity.
3. Technical Foundations of OEM Investment Casting
Investment casting relies on a tightly controlled sequence of steps, optimized materials choices, and cutting‑edge equipment.
By understanding each element, OEMs can harness this process to achieve the precision and performance their applications demand.
Step‑by‑Step Process Overview
1. Stvaranje uzorka od voska
Prvo, technicians inject molten wax into precision steel dies. Each cycle produces patterns that reproduce part geometry within ±0.05 mm.
U praksi, a single mold run can yield dozens of identical wax replicas in under ten minutes, supporting batch sizes from 50 do 1,000 units per tree.
2. Skupština (Treeing) & Zgrada keramičke školjke
Sljedeći, workers affix individual wax patterns onto a central sprue, formiranje "stabla".
Zatim, automated dip‑dry lines coat the assembly in ceramic slurry and fine refractory sand across six to eight layers.
Kao rezultat, the shell reaches 3–5 mm thickness, providing the strength to withstand molten metal pressures.
3. Dewaxing & Izlijevanje metala
Naknadno, the coated assembly enters an autoclave or furnace at 200–300 °C to remove wax. U međuvremenu, foundries preheat the ceramic shell to around 600 ° C.
Immediately after, they pour molten alloy—ranging from 700 ° C (aluminij) do 1,600 ° C (superlegure na bazi nikla)—directly into the hot mold.
The rapid pour rate (typically 5–10 m/s) minimizes turbulence and helps prevent gas entrapment.
4. Uklanjanje školjki & Čišćenje
Nakon što se metal skrutne (often within 30–60 minutes, depending on part mass), crews blast the shell away using high‑pressure water or mechanical vibration.
U prosjeku, they recover 95% of cast parts intact, with the remaining 5% requiring minor rework or scrap due to surface blemishes.
5. Toplotna obrada & Završnica
Konačno, castings undergo heat treatments—such as solution annealing, precipitacijsko otvrdnjavanje, or stress‑relief—to achieve the desired microstructures.
Poslije, craftsmen perform grinding, CNC obrada, or polishing to meet tight tolerances (as low as ±0.02 mm) and surface finishes (Ra 0.8–1.6 µm).
Oprema & Tehnologije u nastajanju
In addition to core process stages, investment casting benefits from ongoing technological advances:
- Automated Shell‑Building Lines equipped with robotics reduce cycle time by up to 40% and cut labor costs by 25%.
- 3D‑Printed Patterns fabricated in wax or polymer materials eliminate hard tooling for prototypes and small runs, slashing lead times from eight weeks down to two.
- Advanced Ceramic‑Matrix Binders enhance shell toughness and thermal stability, reducing shell‑crack defects by approximately 15%.
- Real‑Time Monitoring Systems employ IoT sensors to track slurry viscosity, shell moisture, and furnace temperatures, enabling predictive adjustments that improve first‑pass yield rates above 90%.
4. What Are the Advantages of the Investment Casting Process?
Investment casting delivers several compelling benefits:
- Kompleksna geometrija: It captures internal channels, tanki zidovi (<1 mm), and intricate undercuts without assembly.
- Uske tolerancije: It routinely achieves ±0.1 mm dimensional accuracy, reducing need for secondary machining.
- Materijalna učinkovitost: It attains over 90% iskoristivost materijala, whereas subtractive methods may waste up to 60%.
- Kvaliteta površine: It produces as‑cast surfaces with Ra 1.5–3.2 µm, minimizing finishing costs.
- Isplativost: For medium‑volume runs (1,000–50,000 parts/year), tooling amortization drives per‑part costs down by 20–30% compared to CNC machining.
- Fleksibilnost dizajna: It lets designers consolidate multiple components into single castings, reducing assembly time and potential leak points.
5. Industries Where We Provide Customized Services
OEM investment casting serves a wide array of sectors:
- Pumpa & Valve Parts
We cast impellers, kućište, and valve bodies in stainless steel and superalloys to withstand corrosive fluids and high pressures. - Compressor Parts
We produce blades, kućišta, and diffusers for air and gas compressors, using Inconel and titanium alloys for durability and light weight. - Train & Railway Parts
We supply brake components, coupler parts, and structural brackets in wear-resistant steels to meet stringent safety standards. - Cylinder & Gear Box
We deliver cylinder heads, Blokovi motora, and gearbox housings in high‑strength aluminum and steel alloys, balancing weight and performance. - Rudarstvo & Engineering Machinery Casting Parts
We manufacture heavy‑duty pump shafts, crusher jaws, and excavator components from high‑chrome steels for abrasion resistance. - Auto & Zrakoplovni dijelovi
We craft turbocharger wheels, suspension links, turbinske lopatice, and fuel nozzles using advanced superalloys to meet rigorous industry specifications.
6. The Materials We Can Supply
As an experienced OEM investment casting supplier, we provide a broad spectrum of high-performance materials tailored to meet the mechanical, toplinski, and corrosion resistance requirements of various industries.
Below is an overview of the materials we can supply, categorized by alloy type and application focus:
Nehrđajući čelici
Ideal for components requiring corrosion resistance, jačina, i trajnost.
- 304 / 304L – Excellent corrosion resistance; widely used in food processing, kemijska oprema, i strukturnih dijelova.
- 316 / 316L – Enhanced resistance to chlorides and chemicals; suitable for marine, ventil, and pump components.
- 410 – Tvrd i otporan na habanje; used in turbine blades, alata, i industrijski strojevi.
- 17-4PH – Precipitation-hardening stainless steel with high strength and moderate corrosion resistance; koristi se u zrakoplovstvu, petrokemijski, and mechanical applications.
Carbon and Alloy Steels
Used for heavy-duty parts that require toughness and fatigue resistance.
- WCB (Lijevani ugljični čelik) – General-purpose alloy for structural and industrial applications.
- 1020, 1045, 4130, 4140 – Carbon and alloy steels for gearboxes, osovine, spojnice, and railway parts.
- 8620 – Case-hardened steel used for gears and components requiring a hard surface and tough core.
Alatni čelici
Engineered for wear resistance and dimensional stability at high temperatures.
- Alatni čelik H13 – Commonly used for dies, injekcijski kalupi, and aerospace tooling; excellent thermal fatigue resistance.
- D2 – High wear resistance; suitable for cutting tools and dies.
- M2 – High-speed steel used in cutting and drilling applications.
Legure na bazi nikla
Optimized for extreme heat and corrosion resistance in aerospace, stvaranje energije, i kemijska obrada.
- Udruživanje 625 / 718 – Excellent high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance; used in turbine blades, ispušni sustavi, i izmjenjivači topline.
- Hastelloy C – Exceptional resistance to strong acids and chemicals; used in chemical reactors and marine systems.
- Monel 400 – Nickel-copper alloy known for seawater and acid resistance; suitable for marine hardware and pumps.
Legure na bazi kobalta
Best for wear, vrućina, and corrosion resistance in severe environments.
- Zvjezdani 6 – Outstanding wear and corrosion resistance; ideal for valve seats, alati za rezanje, i visokotemperaturne komponente.
- CoCrMo – Biocompatible alloy used in medical implants, zubarski uređaji, i kirurški instrumenti.
Aluminijske legure
Lightweight with good corrosion resistance, used in transportation, zrakoplovstvo, i energetske industrije.
- A356 – High strength-to-weight ratio and good casting properties; used in housings, ronilaca, i strukturne komponente.
- Alsi10mg – Common in automotive and aerospace components due to its high thermal conductivity and castability.
Legure od titana
Poznat po visokoj čvrstoći, niska gustoća, i biokompatibilnost.
- Ti-6AL-4V (Razred 5) – Excellent fatigue strength, otpor korozije, and bio-compatibility; koristi se u zrakoplovstvu, morski, i medicinskih implantata.
- Razred 2 Titanijum – Pure titanium with excellent formability and corrosion resistance; often used in chemical processing and marine environments.
Legure na bazi bakra
Used for applications demanding excellent electrical conductivity, otpor korozije, and anti-microbial properties.
- Mesing (CuZn) – Used in decorative components, ventili, and plumbing parts.
- Bronza (CuSn) – Excellent wear resistance and strength; used in bearings, čahure, and gear components.
- bakar-nikal (CuNi 90/10, 70/30) – Superior seawater resistance; commonly used in shipbuilding and desalination plants.
7. OEM‑Supplier DEZE
To maximize value, OEM–supplier OVAJ collaboration focuses on:
- Contract Models & IP Protection
We implement fixed‑price, cost‑plus, or milestone‑based agreements. Naduti, we enforce NDAs and secure data‑exchange platforms to protect proprietary designs. - Supply‑Chain Logistics & Lead‑Time Management
We maintain strategic raw‑material inventories and deploy Kanban systems to support just‑in‑time delivery. Kao rezultat, we hit delivery targets 98% of the time. - Risk Sharing & Joint‑Development Partnerships
We co‑invest in tooling, share performance metrics, and jointly optimize processes. Stoga, we reduce scrap rates by 12% and accelerate time‑to‑market by 25%.
8. Comparison with Alternative Manufacturing Methods
OEM Investment casting offers distinct advantages over other metal-forming methods, especially when complex geometries, uske tolerancije, and superior surface finishes are required.
Međutim, understanding how it compares to alternatives like kovanje, kasting, i CNC obrada helps OEMs make more informed decisions based on application, volumen, i proračun.
Manufacturing Process Comparison Table
| Kriteriji | Casting | Kovanje | Kasting | CNC obrada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Složenost geometrije | Excellent – intricate, unutarnje karakteristike | Limited – simple, solid shapes | Moderate – complex but limited to parting line | Limited – constrained by tool access |
| Površinski završetak | Dobro (Ra ≈ 3.2 µm) | Rough – requires machining | Excellent – minimal finishing needed | Excellent – smooth, visoka preciznost |
| Materijalni otpad | Low – near-net shape | Moderate – requires trimming | Nizak | High – subtractive process |
| Mehanička svojstva | Good – improves with heat treatment | Excellent – forged grain flow | Moderate – porosity possible | Varies – depends on stock material |
| Tolerancije | ±0.1 mm standard | tijesno (±0.05 mm possible with machining) | tijesno (±0,05 mm) | Very Tight (±0.005 mm possible) |
Trošak alata |
Umjeren | Visok | Vrlo visok | Nijedan (except fixtures) |
| Proizvodni volumen | Niska do srednja | Srednje do visoko | Vrlo visoko | Niska do srednja |
| Mogućnosti materijala | Wide – steels, superlegure, Od, U, Co | Mostly ferrous and high-strength alloys | Limited – aluminum, cinkov, magnezij | Wide – depending on bar/plate availability |
| Vrijeme olova | Srednji (2–6 weeks typical) | dugo (due to tooling and forging setup) | Short for high volume | Short for small batches |
| Najbolje za | Complex OEM parts, tight specs | High-load parts like shafts, zupčanici | Mass-produced non-ferrous components | Prototipovi, precision low-volume components |
Ključni zahvati
- Casting excels when OEMs require složena geometrija, moderate volume, i fleksibilnost materijala, making it a go-to solution for aerospace, automobilski, medicinski, i energetskim sektorima.
- Kovanje preferira se za visoke čvrstoće components with simpler shapes.
- Kasting idealan je za veličanstveni production of non-ferrous parts with excellent surface finish.
- CNC obrada provides unmatched preciznost, posebno za prototipovi ili male količine rada, though at higher material and time costs.
9. Zaključak
OEM investment casting stands out as a versatile, cost‑effective solution for producing high‑precision parts across diverse industries.
By harnessing lost‑wax techniques, napredni materijali, i tehnologije u nastajanju, OEMs and foundries can collaborate to achieve superior component performance, reduced assembly complexity, and accelerated innovation.
Gledajući naprijed, continued investment in automation, digital integration, and sustainability will further strengthen this vital manufacturing process.
OVAJ je savršen izbor za vaše potrebe za proizvodnjom ako vam treba visokokvalitetna OEM casting servis.
Česta pitanja
Q: What is OEM investment casting?
A: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) investment casting is a manufacturing process where a specialized foundry produces precision metal parts for another company that designs and sells the final product.
The casting process uses wax patterns, keramički kalupi, and molten metal to create complex, Komponente visoke precize.
Q: How do I get a quote for OEM investment casting services?
A: To request a quote, simply provide your technical drawings (CAD/STEP files), material specifications, i estimated quantity.
Our engineering team will review your requirements and respond with a detailed quote and lead time estimate.
Q: Can I provide my own CAD drawings or 3D models?
A: Apsolutno. OEM manufacturers typically accept various file formats such as STEP, IGES, STL, DWG, or SolidWorks files for custom part development.
Q: Do you offer DFM (Dizajn za mogućnost izrade) podrška?
A: Many investment casting companies provide DFM assistance to optimize your design for cost efficiency, strukturni integritet, i proizvodnja.
Q: What factors affect lead time?
A: Factors include part complexity, Dostupnost materijala, order quantity, current workload of the foundry, and shipping logistics.
Q: Can you ship internationally?
A: Da, many OEM investment casting suppliers offer international shipping and can assist with customs documentation, pakiranje, and logistics coordination.
Q: Are there minimum order quantities (MOQs)?
A: MOQs vary by supplier and part size. Some foundries accept low-volume orders, especially for prototypes or small-batch production.
