The Process 

Lost Wax Casting begins with the creation of a high-quality wax model. We take your handcrafted wax or printed CAD pattern and carefully build it onto a tree with other similar pieces. If you send us CAD files to print, our technicians will integrate the sprues into your model before printing for the cleanest contacts and optimized metal feed. Well-designed sprues are critical to metal flow, minimizing porosity and achieving sharp detail in every design.

 The assembled tree is then encased in our proprietary ceramic shell, which is different from other casters’ ceramic. The shell is extremely strong and dimensionally stable and protects the metal from exposure to silica contamination.

 The tree is put inside a flask, surrounded by ceramic investment, and placed in the kiln to melt out the wax patterns. This leaves behind a hollow space, or mold, in the shape of the original model.

TechForm uses several centrifugal casting machines. The spinning action slings the metal into the mold at high speed to fill every detail before platinum’s almost instant solidification occurs. Before we hit the “spin” button, the ceramic-filled flask and a preheated crucible are placed in the casting machine. The induction coil makes swift work of bringing the platinum to its molten temperature of 1,700 °C (3,092 °F). As the coil retracts, the arm spins, and the metal fills every prong and gallery wire, perfectly replicating the original wax model.

After cooling, the ceramic shell is carefully washed away, revealing the metal tree. Our technicians remove your pieces from the tree, send them through our HIP furnace, touch up any casting defects, and deliver you a perfect platinum casting.

Lost wax casting offers numerous advantages. It allows for the production of complex and detailed parts with excellent dimensional accuracy. The process enables the creation of parts with thin walls, intricate patterns, and tight tolerances that may be difficult or impossible to achieve with other manufacturing methods.

Furthermore, lost wax casting allows for the use of a wide range of materials, including precious metals like platinum and alloys such as bronze and stainless steel. This versatility makes it suitable for various applications, from creating jewelry and art pieces to manufacturing critical components for industries that demand high strength and durability.

Overall, the lost wax casting process is a tried-and-true method that combines precision, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you are a jewelry designer, an engineer, or a manufacturer, this process offers endless possibilities for creating high-quality metal parts with intricate details and exceptional accuracy. Each step requires careful attention to detail, patience, and a touch of magic, as the interaction of metal, ceramic, heat, and force is not always predictable and sometimes surprising!

TechForm has spent over 30 years researching, developing, and improving our unique process for excellent quality platinum castings. We look forward to discussing your casting challenges.