Comparison with Casting Process (Lost Wax) and other Techiques
After examining synthetically, especially from the point of view of the description of the processes of casting, it is useful to poit out some comparisons between the specific technology of lost wax casting and other forming processes (they include, in this case, also processes arising from metallurgy dust, forging, machining operations).
In the table below there is a comparison between the synthetic investment casting and other forming processes in relation to some engineering performance, cost and size.
Some terms of comparison between the precision casting and other forming processes (Source: Handbook on the Investment Casting Process, American Foundrymen's Society Inc.).
| Precision casting | Die | Forging hot forging | Casting with plaster molds | Injection molding powders | Casting shapes with organic binder | Casting in sand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molds cost | Medium | High | High | Low | High | Medium | Low |
| Unit cost | Medium | Low | Low | Medium | High | Low | Low |
| Freedom in design | High | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium-high | Medium | Low |
| Tolerances control | Medium-high | High | Low | Medium | High | Medium | Low |
| Components sizes | Medium | Medium | Medium-high | Medium-low | Low | Medium | High |
| Surface finishing | Medium-high | High | Medium | Medium-high | High | Low | Low |