Forging vs Investment Casting
When it comes to choosing the right manufacturing process, there are multiple options to consider. A big debate across many industries is between the forging and investment casting process. The right manufacturing process for your components may depend on the industry, required lead times, and much more. While both have their advantages and disadvantages, investment casting is the number one choice for many industries and sectors including aerospace, defense, marine, and rail.
What Is Investment Casting?
Investment casting is one of the most cost-effective manufacturing methods available in the production of precise components, in bulk, whilst minimizing energy and waste too. Here at Precision Investment Castings, we specialise in investment casting and follow a proven and detailed process to ensure a quality finish. Different stages of the investment casting process include waxing, pouring, cutting, and testing.
Benefits Of Investment Casting
Casting Variety
Investment casting can be used to cast a wide variety of ferrous and non-ferrous metals including stainless, iron, steel aluminum, brass, and lead. The investment casting process is designed and is well equipped to cast a variety of parts across several industries and sectors.
Complex Designs
The investment casting process also has the ability to produce much more complex designs, when requested, and is able to incorporate specific design features that forging cannot.
Excellent Surface Finishes
Surface finishes are what make a product, feature or monument stand out from the competition. Excellent surface finishes are an integral part of the investment casting process which is followed by rigorous testing to ensure quality.
Drawbacks Of Investment Casting
More Manual Process
Although there are many benefits to investment casting, it is much more of a manual process when compared to alternative casting methods and even forging.
Longer Cycle Times
Cycle times can be much longer with investment casting due to the nature of the manual process and work that goes into it to ensure a quality finish.
What Is Forging?
Forging is the manufacturing process of pressing, rolling and hammering metal into shape. The process of forging is normally delivered from a die, press, or hammer in order to manipulate the part into the desired shape. Essentially, forging is the process of heating and working hot metal to a design or shape that is fit for purpose for the industry or sector. Forging is a popular manufacturing method for achieving specific mechanical properties and is often categorized according to the temperature at which it is performed hot, cold, or warm.
Benefits Of Forging
Short Cycle Times
Cycle time with forging can be extremely short, so if you’re looking for production and manufacturing with little lead or delay time, forging is an option to consider.
Different Alloys
The biggest advantage of machine forging is that most of the metals can be forged into the desired shape. The forging process can be applied to any type of metal. Each metal comes with a distinct set of characteristics that can be best used for specific parts depending on the requirement.
Drawbacks Of Forging
Lower Accuracy
Lower accuracy is one major drawback of the forging process when compared to investment casting and other alternate methods. Forging is operated by hand and therefore this plays a part in potentially lower accuracy and quality finish.
Limited Flexibility
Component flexibility is something that is seriously limited with forging. It’s true that some materials can be forged in the forging process and metals can get distorted if working below the required temperature.
Higher Tooling Costs
Tooling costs can be very expensive which may result in a higher price for finished products, parts, or applications.
Contact Us Today
Here at Precision Investment Casting, we have a broad knowledge of the manufacture of metal parts for a wide range of applications. We can provide you with our best advice as to which method might suit your project best. If you have a project in mind and would like to know whether investment casting is right for you, please get in touch to find out more on 0161 925 5160.