Fine Art Castings by the...

•	Also known as investment or precision casting process.
•	Was used in ancient times from China to Egypt to cast exquisite objects which are now displayed as artifacts in museums.
•	"Lost Wax Process" permits intricate and precise reproduction of large and small objects.
•	Jewellers and dentists use the "Lost Wax Process" to produce small intricate castings.
•	In the hands of a skilled foundry, fine details will be faithfully reproduced. (helpful information for sculptors)

• The artist supplies Artcast with an "original". • The Original can be almost any material - clay, plasticine, plaster, wood, wax, styrofoam, etc. (common materials for modelling)

• Unless the original is wax or in styrofoam, a rubber mold is made. • Rubber compound is poured in liquid form at room temperature over the original where it flows into every surface detail.

• After the rubber cures, the original is removed and molten wax is poured into the rubber mold to produce a wax duplicate. • This wax duplicate is later melted and poured out prior to casting. Hence the term "Lost Wax Process".

• Wax bars are fused to the wax duplicate to make-up the sprue system. • After dewaxing, the sprue system channels the molten metal into the mold cavity.

• The sprued wax duplicate is coated several times with a ceramic slurry and stucco, to build up the thickness until the piece is encased in a strong shell.

• The ceramic shell is heated using steam to melt-out the wax. • The shell is then cured in a furnace and preheated in preparation for casting.

• The molten metal is poured into the ceramic shell. • Upon cooling, the ceramic shell is chipped off and the sprue system is removed.

• Each location where the sprue system is attached is re-textured to restore it to the original texture. • For the final finish, the sculpture may be either polished or patinated as desired.