While the upfront investment in tooling may be somewhat more, manufacturers can achieve low material cost and long-term savings with the investment casting process. Investment casting’s near-net-shape process is the main reason for these savings. Highly precise molds are very efficient and waste only small amounts of the molten alloy because there is little excess metal. There is also little or no finishing work required, eliminating grinding and trimming waste. The result is more accurate, more consistent, higher-quality parts, as well as cost savings.