Investment casting, also known as precision casting or lost-wax casting, is a casting method that is used to produce complex, high-precision metal parts with excellent surface finish. It involves creating a mold (investment) around a wax pattern, which is then melted or "lost" during the casting process.

The investment casting process begins with the creation of a wax pattern, which is then assembled onto a sprue. The pattern cluster is coated with a ceramic slurry and refractory material to form a ceramic shell. The wax is melted out of the shell, leaving behind a cavity. The ceramic shell is preheated, and molten metal is poured into the shell. After cooling and solidification, the ceramic shell is removed to reveal the cast metal part, which undergoes finishing operations to achieve the final specifications.

Investment casting offers advantages such as the ability to produce intricate shapes, excellent surface finish, versatility in material selection, minimal material waste, design flexibility, reduced machining requirements, and reproducibility.

Lost-PLA casting, also known as investment casting with a 3D-printed pattern, is a variation of the traditional investment casting method. It involves using a 3D-printed pattern made of polylactic acid (PLA) instead of a wax pattern.

Advantages of Lost-PLA casting over traditional lost-wax casting include:

• Design Freedom and Complexity: Lost-PLA casting allows for the production of highly complex parts with intricate geometries and internal features. 3D printing enables the creation of complex shapes that would be challenging to achieve with traditional wax patterns.

• Rapid Prototyping: 3D printing allows for quick and cost-effective production of patterns, enabling faster iterations and design improvements during the prototyping phase.

• Reduced Tooling Costs: Traditional investment casting often requires the creation of expensive molds or dies for wax patterns. Lost-PLA casting eliminates the need for these molds, reducing tooling costs and setup time.

• Enhanced Part Accuracy: 3D printing technology provides high precision and accuracy in pattern production, resulting in better dimensional conformity and improved part quality.

• Material Diversity: Lost-PLA casting is compatible with a wide range of metals and alloys, offering versatility in material selection similar to traditional investment casting.

• Reduced Lead Time: The elimination of pattern tooling and the ability to rapidly produce patterns through 3D printing can significantly reduce the overall lead time for casting production.