Investment casting is a vital manufacturing process utilized across various industries to create complex, high-precision metal components. As many businesses and startups seek cost-effective solutions for prototype development and short-run production, finding an investment casting company that provides quality castings at reasonable prices has become crucial. This article will discuss strategies and tips for locating the best investment casting services near you while getting the most value for your money in 2020.
Understand your design needs and specifications
The first step is having a clear understanding of your design requirements. What materials do you need – aluminum, steel, nickel alloys? What level of dimensional accuracy and surface finish is required? Do you need heat treatment or special coatings? Having detailed specifications will allow investment casting companies to provide accurate pricing and lead times. Be sure to have 3D CAD models or technical drawings available as well.
Research local and domestic investment casting providers
Perform online searches for investment casting or lost wax casting services in your region. Many shops exist nationwide that offer rapid turnarounds at economical rates. Don’t limit yourself just to local companies. Vet each potential provider by researching their capabilities, reviewing example components they’ve manufactured, and ensuring they can work with your required materials and quantities. Create a shortlist of companies that seem promising.
Request quotes and compare pricing
Reach out to the investment casting companies on your shortlist and request formal quotations. Most will provide free quotes based on your models or drawings. Compare not just their base pricing but also their markup on additional operations like finishing or heat treating. Keep minimum order quantities in mind as well. An overall lower per-unit price from one shop may be negated if they require you to order more units upfront.
Evaluate lead times and customer service
How quickly can each shop deliver finished castings? Lead time is impacted by factors like capacity, workload, and production scheduling. Faster turnaround is often available if you’re willing to pay a premium. Also assess each company’s responsiveness and customer service. Do they communicate well and answer your questions thoroughly? Taking these factors into account along with pricing will help identify the best value.
Request samples and inspect quality
Before placing full orders, having a casting shop create samples is highly recommended. Carefully examine the samples against your requirements – dimensional accuracy, surface finish, material properties, etc. Request testing if needed. Hands-on inspection will verify the provider can deliver components to your specifications. Minor defects in samples can often be addressed by adjusting tooling or processes for the production run.
Finding affordable yet high-quality investment castings requires careful vetting of potential suppliers. Taking the time to understand your needs, research providers, compare pricing and lead times, evaluate customer service, and inspect samples will help determine the best investment casting company that meets budget and quality goals for your project.