Custom Investment Casting Services


Zeren provides one-stop investment casting services for custom steel components, covering engineering review, tooling development, wax pattern production, ceramic shell building, metal casting, cleaning and final inspection.


With additional CNC machining, heat treatment and surface finishing capabilities, we help manufacturers simplify sourcing and obtain finished parts that meet their dimensional, mechanical and application requirements.

Custom steel investment casting services with precision cast and machined components

Precision Lost Wax Casting for Complex Metal Parts


Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, is suitable for producing complex metal components that require detailed shapes, controlled dimensions and a consistent surface condition.


At Zeren, each project is reviewed according to part geometry, material, tolerance, quantity and end-use requirements. We can supply raw castings, machined castings or finished components ready for assembly.

Why Choose Investment Casting for Custom Components?

Investment casting provides design flexibility for complex components while reducing unnecessary machining, welding and multi-part assembly.

Complex Geometry

Produce curved surfaces, integrated features and complex external profiles that may be difficult to manufacture by conventional machining alone.

Near-Net-Shape Production

Reduce unnecessary material removal by forming parts close to their final geometry.

Controlled Surface Quality

The silica sol process provides a cleaner and more consistent casting surface than many conventional casting methods.

Reduced Secondary Machining

Non-critical areas can often remain as-cast while only functional surfaces are machined.

Flexible Material Selection

Suitable for stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, duplex stainless steel and other engineering steel grades.

Repeatable Batch Production

Production tooling helps maintain stable geometry and consistency across repeated manufacturing batches.

Investment Casting Capabilities at a Glance

Our investment casting capabilities are evaluated according to part geometry, material, quantity, tolerance and final application requirements.

Casting ProcessSilica Sol Lost Wax Investment Casting
Project TypeCustom OEM / ODM Components
Production SupportPrototypes, Small Batches and Production Orders
Material RangeStainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Duplex Stainless Steel and Specialized Steel Grades
Drawing Formats2D Drawings, 3D Models or Physical Samples
Typical Surface FinishApproximately Ra 3.2 μm, depending on geometry and process conditions
Machining SupportTurning, Milling, Drilling, Tapping, Boring, Wire EDM and Local Finishing
Post-ProcessingHeat Treatment, Blasting, Passivation, Polishing, Plating, Black Finishing and Powder Coating
InspectionChemical Composition, Dimensional Inspection, Hardness Testing and Project-Specific Reports
Casting tolerances are evaluated according to part geometry, size, material and drawing requirements.

Our Investment Casting Process

From engineering review and tooling development to casting, finishing and final inspection, each stage of our investment casting process is carefully controlled to support consistent quality and reliable production.

Investment casting process from tooling and wax patterns to finished steel castings

01 Drawing & Feasibility Review

Review drawings, material requirements, tolerances, quantities and functional areas before production.

02 Tooling or Pattern Preparation

Prepare production tooling, wax tooling or rapid patterns based on project quantity and validation requirements.

03 Wax Injection & Pattern Inspection

Produce wax patterns and inspect their dimensions, surface condition and completeness.

04 Wax Tree Assembly & Cleaning

Assemble wax patterns onto the runner system and clean the wax tree before shell building.

05 Ceramic Shell Building

Apply multiple ceramic slurry and stucco layers to form a strong casting shell.

06 Dewaxing

Remove the wax from the ceramic shell to create the internal casting cavity.

07 Shell Firing

Fire and preheat the ceramic shell before molten metal is poured.

08 Melting & Pouring

Melt the specified metal, verify composition where required and pour it into the prepared shell.

09 Shell Removal, Cutting & Cleaning

Remove the ceramic shell, separate castings from the runner and complete gate grinding and casting cleanup.

10 Inspection & Secondary Operations

Inspect the castings before CNC machining, heat treatment, surface finishing and final quality control.

Parts and Features Suitable for Investment Casting

Investment casting is particularly suitable for customized components with complex profiles, integrated structures and functional areas requiring additional machining.

Steel investment casting with complex external profiles and integrated structural features

Complex External Profiles

Curved surfaces, irregular contours and integrated structural features.
Investment cast valve body with internal cavities and complex flow passages

Internal Cavities and Flow Passages

Internal structures that can be formed using suitable tooling or ceramic core solutions, subject to feasibility review.
Steel investment cast housing with thin and variable wall sections

Thin or Variable Wall Sections

Components with changing wall thickness or localized thin-wall areas, depending on material and flow conditions.
One-piece investment cast component with integrated ribs bosses and mounting features

Integrated Components

Multiple features may be combined into one casting to reduce welding, assembly or separate manufacturing steps.
Investment cast steel component with machined bores sealing faces and mounting areas

Machined Functional Areas

Sealing faces, bearing seats, threads, bores and mounting surfaces can be machined after casting.
Custom non-standard alloy steel part manufactured by investment casting

Custom Non-Standard Parts

Suitable for drawing-based components that are not available as standard commercial products.

Materials for Investment Casting

Material selection affects casting performance, corrosion resistance, strength, heat treatment response, machinability and service life. We evaluate suitable steel grades according to the component application, working environment, mechanical requirements, corrosion resistance and heat treatment needs.

Steel materials for stainless carbon alloy and duplex investment casting

Stainless Steel

Corrosion-resistant casting materials for components requiring durability, cleanliness and reliable performance in demanding environments.

Duplex Stainless Steel

High-strength, corrosion-resistant materials suitable for fluid handling, marine and chemical processing applications.

Carbon Steel

Cost-effective casting materials offering good strength, machinability and flexibility for general industrial components.

Alloy Steel

Enhanced strength, hardness and wear performance for components operating under higher mechanical loads.

Heat-Resistant Steel

Designed for cast components exposed to elevated temperatures, thermal cycling and demanding service conditions.

Wear-Resistant Steel

Suitable for components exposed to abrasion, impact, friction and repeated mechanical contact.

From Prototype Validation to Batch Production

We support projects from early-stage feasibility review and sample validation to repeat tooling and stable batch production.

01 Engineering Review

Evaluate drawings, geometry, material, expected quantity and critical requirements.

02 Tooling or Rapid Pattern

Select production tooling or rapid pattern methods based on project stage and order quantity.

03 Sample & First Article Approval

Produce samples for dimensional, material, machining and functional evaluation.

04 Batch Production

Begin repeat production after the sample, drawing and process requirements are confirmed.

Casting, Machining and Post-Processing Support

Beyond casting, we coordinate tooling, CNC machining, heat treatment and surface finishing to deliver components at different stages of completion.

Tooling & 3D Printing

Production tooling and rapid pattern support for prototype validation and repeat manufacturing.

CNC Machining

Turning, milling, drilling, tapping, boring, wire cutting and machining of critical functional areas.


Heat Treatment

Annealing, normalizing, quenching, tempering, aging, carburizing and nitriding based on material and performance requirements.

Surface Finishing

Blasting, passivation, polishing, plating, black finishing, powder coating and other project-specific options.

Quality Control from Wax Pattern to Finished Part


Quality control is applied throughout wax pattern production, casting, machining and final inspection according to project-specific requirements.

Quality control and dimensional inspection for precision investment cast parts

Material Verification

Chemical composition verification based on the specified material grade and project requirements.

Wax Pattern Inspection

Inspection of wax pattern dimensions, surface condition and assembly quality before shell building.

Casting Process Control

Process control during shell preparation, melting, pouring, cleaning and post-casting operations.

Dimensional Inspection

Inspection using calipers, gauges, project fixtures, CMM or other appropriate measuring equipment.

Mechanical Property Testing

Hardness or other project-specific mechanical testing when required.

Inspection Documentation

Dimensional, chemical composition, hardness and first article reports can be provided based on project requirements.

Investment Cast Components for Industrial Applications

Our investment casting and machining services support customized components used in fluid handling, industrial machinery, transportation, power equipment and other demanding applications.

Pump & Valve

Valve bodies, impellers, pump components, fittings and sealing parts

Petrochemical & Marine

Fluid handling components, corrosion-resistant parts and equipment fittings

Industrial Machinery

Brackets, housings, levers, supports, gears and wear-related components

Transportation

Mounting parts, brackets, structural components and transmission-related castings

Power & Instrumentation

Instrument housings, connectors, control components and equipment fittings

Hardware & Architectural

Handles, hinges, brackets, locking parts and decorative functional components

Why Work with Zeren for Investment Casting?

We combine casting experience, engineering review and coordinated post-processing support for custom industrial projects.

Manufacturing Experience

Investment casting and machining support for custom industrial components since 2009.

Integrated Production Support

Tooling, casting, machining, heat treatment, finishing and inspection can be coordinated within one project.

Engineering Review

Drawings are reviewed for casting feasibility, machining allowance, critical dimensions and post-processing requirements.

Flexible Project Support

Support for sample development, small batches and repeat production based on project requirements.

Documented Quality Control

Project-specific dimensional, material and inspection documentation can be provided when required.

Information Required for an Investment Casting Quote

Complete project information helps us evaluate casting feasibility, tooling requirements, machining allowance, inspection methods and production cost more accurately.

 2D Drawing or 3D Model
 Areas requiring CNC machining
 Material grade or application environment
 Heat treatment requirements
 Estimated sample and production quantity
 Surface finishing requirements
 Critical dimensions and tolerances
Inspection and documentation requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About Investment Casting Services

Find answers to common questions about investment casting materials, tooling, tolerances, production quantities, secondary operations and quotation requirements.

1. What materials can you use for investment casting?


We provide investment casting services for stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, duplex stainless steel, heat-resistant steel and wear-resistant steel. The suitable material grade is evaluated according to the component application, working environment, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and heat treatment requirements.

2. Can you manufacture investment castings from drawings or samples?


Yes. We can evaluate projects based on 2D drawings, 3D models or physical samples. For sample-based projects, dimensional measurement, structure review and material confirmation may be required before tooling or production begins.

3. Can you produce prototypes or small quantities?


Yes. We support prototype development, sample orders, small batches and repeat production. Depending on the component size, structure and quantity, we may recommend production tooling, rapid patterns or other suitable development methods.

4. What tolerances can investment casting achieve?


Casting tolerances depend on the component size, geometry, material, wall thickness and process conditions. Critical dimensions, bores, threads, sealing surfaces and mounting areas can be further controlled through CNC machining when tighter tolerances are required.

5. Can you provide CNC machining after casting?


Yes. We provide CNC turning, milling, drilling, boring, tapping, wire cutting and other machining services for cast components. Machining allowances and critical functional areas are reviewed before production to improve dimensional consistency.

6. Can you provide heat treatment and surface finishing?


Yes. Available post-processing options may include annealing, normalizing, quenching and tempering, aging, carburizing and nitriding. Surface finishing options may include shot blasting, passivation, polishing, plating, black finishing and powder coating, depending on the material and project requirements.

7. What information is required for an investment casting quotation?


Please provide the 2D drawing or 3D model, material grade, estimated quantity, critical tolerances, machining areas, heat treatment requirements, surface finish and inspection requirements. Complete project information allows us to evaluate tooling, casting feasibility, machining allowance and production cost more accurately.

8. What factors affect the cost of an investment casting project?


The main cost factors include component weight, material grade, structural complexity, tooling requirements, production quantity, expected casting yield, CNC machining, heat treatment, surface finishing, inspection standards and packaging requirements.

9. How long does an investment casting project take?


Lead time depends on tooling complexity, material, sample approval, production quantity, machining and post-processing requirements. A project-specific schedule can be provided after the drawing and manufacturing requirements have been reviewed.

10. Can you provide inspection reports with the castings?


Yes. Depending on the project requirements, we can provide dimensional inspection reports, chemical composition reports, hardness results, first article inspection records and other agreed quality documentation.


Send Your Drawing for Investment Casting Review

Share your 2D drawing, 3D model or sample information with our team for material, tooling, casting, machining and finishing review.
Request a quotation for custom steel investment casting and machining services