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Vacuum casting

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Vacuum casting

In vacuum casting, metal is poured onto a flask with the mold on a vacuum table, where a pump draws the metal into the mold and frees it of air.

Steps of the technique: Prepare the mold, Melt, Apply vacuum, Pour, Cool, Clean
Summary of the steps

How it works #

The hot flask is placed on the vacuum table, the metal is poured and the pump draws the air out of the mold. The metal fills every cavity.

Advantages #

Less porosity and good reproduction of fine details and very thin walls.

Comparison #

Centrifugal casting is more common; vacuum is preferred for delicate pieces or those with stones already set in the wax.

Control #

Vacuum time and mold temperature are key: too long a vacuum can trap gas.

Step by step #

  1. Prepare the mold. Burn out the wax and place the flask in the machine.
  2. Melt. Melt the metal in the machine's crucible.
  3. Apply vacuum. The pump draws the air out of the mold.
  4. Pour. The metal enters with even pressure.
  5. Cool. Wait before opening.
  6. Clean. Remove the investment and check the piece.

Tools and materials #

  • Vacuum casting machine
  • Flasks and investment
  • Casting grain (grain)
  • Glasses and gloves

Common mistakes #

  • Leaks in the seal: not enough vacuum.
  • Casting with the mold too cold.
  • Wrong temperature settings.
  • Not cleaning the crucible between metals.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.