Metals

We can prototype in a range of base and precious metals via our precision investment casting process. Being specialists in investment casting means we can manufacture accurate, detailed metal parts in as little as two days.

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Our Metal Casting Service

We offer investment casting services in several precious and non-precious materials. Your parts will be 3D printed in wax and then processed through our loss-wax investment casting process to produce parts that would otherwise be un-machineable. Our wax material is printed at 16 µm (0.016mm) layers providing you with superior accuracy and definition.

Alloy Pricing Chart

The pricing shown in the table below excludes GST and all values are updated on a daily basis. We do not anneal (soften) our castings before they are sent to you. Please consider the metal casting shrinkage factors before you upload your 3D model.

Material	Colour	Density	Price	Softening	Melting	Casting Shrinkage	Resistivity
Brass	Yellow	8.52 g / cm³	$ … / g	550 °C	910 °C	1.5 %	6.4 µΩ cm
Bronze	Red or White	8.91 g / cm³	$ … / g	600 °C	980 °C	2.0 %	11.4 µΩ cm
Silver	Lightgray	10.5 g / cm³	$ … / g	650 °C	850 °C	1.0 %	1.7 µΩ cm
9K Gold	Yellow	11.5 g / cm³	$ … / g	650 °C	870 °C	1.0 %
9K Palladiumgold	White	12.6 g / cm³	$ … / g	700 °C	960 °C	2.0 %
14K Gold	Yellow	13.0 g / cm³	$ … / g	650 °C	860 °C	1.0 %
14K Palladiumgold	White	14.2 g / cm³	$ … / g	760 °C	1000 °C	2.0 %
18K Gold	Yellow	15.5 g / cm³	$ … / g	700 °C	900 °C	1.5 %
18K Palladiumgold	White	16.0 g / cm³	$ … / g	750 °C	1040 °C	2.0 %
22K Gold	Yellow	18.4 g / cm³	$ … / g	600 °C	990 °C	1.5 %	2.4 µΩ cm
Palladium	White	12.1 g / cm³	$ … / g	800 °C	1400 °C	2.0 %	10.6 µΩ cm
Platinum	White	21.3 g / cm³	$ … / g	850 °C	1780 °C	2.0 %	10.5 µΩ cm

Larger volume metal parts

We offer rubber and silicone moulds for high volume manufacturing orders. Visit our Rapid Casting site for further information. Pricing Guide

Estimated weight vs. Actual weight

The weight of parts ordered online is estimated from the volume of the CAD model and the metal density. We also make a small allowance for the sprue. Once parts are devested the actual part weight is updated. Adjustments are automatically refunded to your account or credit card for online payments.

Need help with your sprues?

A casting sprue is the feed or gate to the object being cast. This will remain on the object so when you receive your metal order you will need to file this away. All items require a sprue but we take great care in placement and size ensuring you can remove this with ease. If you would like to 3D CAD model the sprue on your design prior to ordering then see our sprue guide here: Sprue Design

Shrinkage?

Our waxes print with zero shrinkage. We do get slight shrinkage during casting and this may only become an issue on larger items. Typically increasing the size of your design 1% is enough for casting unless you are making a mould where 3-4% is usually recommended. Note: this is only a guide and it is your responsibility to adjust sizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cast metal?

We 3D print wax master patterns and then put them through our strict quality controlled investment casting process. All parts are sprued onto a casting tree which is placed inside a casting flask. Investment powder is mixed with water to form a slurry which is poured into this flask. The flask is placed inside a de-gassing vacuum chamber where all air is removed from the slurry. The investment is allowed to set before being placed inside an oven. Our ovens are then ramped up to around 700°C which evaporates the wax leaving nothing but a series of cavities inside the investment. Metal is then poured into these cavities under vacuum which fills all the smallest nooks and crannies. Once the metal has cooled, the investment is removed and the solid metal casting tree is revealed. All parts are then snipped off this casting tree and packed up ready for dispatch.

Do you ‘hallmark’ stamp precious metal pieces?

No. You could engrave or emboss the hallmark on the CAD model prior to submitting it online. We will then print the hallmark on the model.

What happens if the casting weighs differently to the estimated mass?

How are castings provided?

Castings are provided untouched. Castings will have sprue stubs attached where metal flowed into the casting. We can direct you to finishing and polishing service providers if you require this.