Investment casting process is also known as Lost-wax process. The term investment refers to a clock or special covering apparel. In investment casting, the clock is a refractory mould which surrounds the precoated wax pattern.
That is interesting. But I do not understand the connection with clocks. The special covering apparel meaning seems sort of in keeping with how investment is used in the context of metal casting. It covers the wax/cavity. Like a "vest". That it's "in". I found this archaic definition of "investment" that sort of suits the use of investment as a mold material too: "the surrounding of a place by a hostile force in order to besiege or blockade it." The investment surrounds and blockades the molten metal to keep it from becoming non-casting shaped. Words are weird. Jeff
Scratching my head on this one. Maybe it's a "down under" thing? It's not always "Lost wax" when using investment. Zap here is our resident "Lost Orchid" expert. I've run "Lost Rope" myself. And even made a "Lost buttplug" here for David!
David's "cloak" alternative works for me. Didn't catch that the first time through, call it an accidental spelling nitpick. Not my preferred type of pedantry, sorry about that. Jeff
