3D Printing Investment Casting Wax patterns used in traditional investment casting methods are produced using an injection molding process, which can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, with lead times estimated at about two months. A major hurdle the company faced was the inability of the investment foundry to produce prototype castings until the injection molds were complete. 3D printing offers an alternative, more efficient and cost-effective method of producing investment casting patterns. Investment casting can be more efficient and cost-effective with 3D printing. The foundry can produce a model within a day that can also be used as a prototype for shape and fit evaluation to perfectly match castings produced using that exact model.
