Investment Casting can be great for very complex, intricate parts that require thin walls.  For common parts that do not meet those project criteria or are larger than a 100 pounds, then this is not a good solution.  High costs for tooling  are also an issue.  The surface finish from Investment Casting does provide a huge benefit and often negates the need for secondary machining.  As most of us know, machining is a major cost contributor, so this is a major boost.

The chart below depicts the advantages and disadvantages of each casting method.  Check it out!