While sand casting can be an appropriate process in a variety of applications, investment casting offers significant advantages, due in large part to the versatility of its mold. With sand casting, molds must be pulled apart to remove the pattern before pouring the molten alloy. These molds use a cope and drag to make a box container that is filled with sand, surrounding the solid pattern. There is always a “parting line” that must be ground off with sand molds because they are made from two pieces. In addition, sand casting must utilize a preformed core within the mold, which adds complexity. Also, sand molds simply cannot achieve the hardness of ceramic, which can compromise the surface finish and tolerances. These issues can all be avoided with investment casting’s wax patterns and ceramic molds.