Postgraduate Diploma in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts. 8 modules covering ISO 8062-3 (dimensional tolerances of castings), EN 1982 (copper alloys for casting) and ProCAST. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the complete lost-wax casting process.
Manufacture wax patterns and 3D-printed patterns.
Design sprue trees and gates that ensure complete mould filling.
Prepare investment slurries and ceramic shells.
Select alloys and pouring parameters.
Finish small parts while preserving fine detail.
Identify typical defects and apply corrective actions.
Who it's for
- Investment casting technician who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- Wax pattern maker who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- Artistic and industrial foundry technician who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- Casting quality technician who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- Restorer of emblems and fittings who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- 3D pattern printing technician who wishes to specialise in Lost-Wax Casting for Small and Detailed Parts.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter investment casting.
What you'll work with
- ISO 8062-3 (dimensional tolerances of castings)
- EN 1982 (copper alloys for casting)
- EN 1706 (aluminium alloys for casting)
- ASTM A957 (precision-cast steel parts: common requirements)
- EN 10283 (corrosion-resistant cast steels)
- EN 12681-1 (radiography of castings)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1History and principles of the process1.2Industrial versus artisanal investment casting1.3Applications in small automotive parts1.4Emblems, mascots and fittings1.5Advantages in detail and finish1.6Size and wall thickness limitations1.7Complete process sequence1.8Costs and lead times1.9Safety in the foundry workshop1.10Case study: process selection for a bonnet mascot
2.1Manual wax modelling2.2Injection waxes and their properties2.3Silicone and rubber moulds2.4Metal injection dies2.5Patterns printed in burnout resin2.6SLA and DLP printing for casting2.7Patterns in PMMA and PLA2.8Shrinkage and compensation2.9Pattern finishing2.10Practice: preparing printed patterns for casting
3.1Sprue tree design3.2Gates and feeders3.3Directional solidification3.4Modulus of solidification3.5Avoiding shrinkage cavities and porosity3.6Part orientation3.7Attaching patterns to the sprue tree3.8Filling simulation3.9Metal yield3.10Workshop: sprue tree design for ten parts
4.1Gypsum investments4.2Colloidal silica ceramic shell4.3Stuccos and coats4.4Drying and humidity control4.5Dewaxing in autoclave and oven4.6Burnout of patterns4.7Mould preheating4.8Mould defects4.9Selection according to alloy4.10Laboratory: preparing an investment
5.1Bronzes and brasses5.2Silver and precious alloys5.3Steels and stainless steels5.4Aluminium and its behaviour5.5Induction and crucible furnaces5.6Gravity, vacuum and centrifugal casting5.7Pouring temperature5.8Degassing and fluxes5.9Safety with molten metal5.10Practice: pouring parameters for a brass
6.1Mould breaking and cleaning6.2Gate cutting6.3Fettling and chiselling6.4Shot blasting and polishing6.5Welding and repair of defects6.6Heat treatments6.7Patinas and coatings6.8Chrome and gold plating6.9Visual quality control6.10Workshop: finishing a cast part
7.1Catalogue of casting defects7.2Gas and shrinkage porosity7.3Inclusions and slag7.4Misruns7.5Radiographic inspection7.6Dimensional control7.7Composition testing7.8Root cause analysis7.9Process improvement7.10Case study: porosity analysis in an emblem
8.1Selecting the part8.2Digitising or modelling8.3Pattern manufacture8.4Sprue tree design8.5Investment and pouring8.6Finishing8.7Quality control8.8Costs and scalability8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ProCAST, Fusion 360, Rhinoceros 3D, PreForm (Formlabs), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for wax injection and tree assembly, ceramic shell manufacture, pouring and defect analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the complete lost-wax casting process.
Manufacture wax patterns and 3D-printed patterns.
Design sprue trees and gates that ensure complete mould filling.
Prepare investment slurries and ceramic shells.
Select alloys and pouring parameters.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with full-time work.
The programme uses ProCAST, Fusion 360, Rhinoceros 3D and PreForm (Formlabs). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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