Can You Cast Stainless Steel Manufacturing Service

Manufacturing Insight: Can You Cast Stainless Steel

Addressing Stainless Steel Manufacturing Capabilities at Honyo Prototype

While stainless steel casting requires specialized foundry processes outside Honyo Prototype’s core expertise, our precision CNC machining services are engineered specifically for high-integrity stainless steel components. We do not provide casting services; however, we excel in transforming pre-cast or raw stainless steel stock—including grades 303, 304, 316, and 17-4 PH—into mission-critical parts with micron-level accuracy. Our advanced 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC machining centers, coupled with in-house metallurgical validation, ensure optimal mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and surface finishes for demanding aerospace, medical, and industrial applications.

For stainless steel projects requiring tight tolerances (±0.0002″), complex geometries, or rigorous material certifications, Honyo delivers end-to-end manufacturing from prototype to production. Submit your STEP or IGES file to our Online Instant Quote platform for a comprehensive technical assessment and competitive pricing within hours—not days. This tool integrates real-time material cost data, machine availability, and secondary process requirements to generate actionable quotes, accelerating your time-to-market without compromising quality.

Stainless Steel CNC Machining Capabilities Overview

Parameter	Specification
Material Grades	303, 304/L, 316/L, 17-4 PH, 410, 440C
Tolerance Range	±0.0002″ (5µm) to ±0.005″ (127µm)
Max Work Envelope	20″ x 16″ x 12″ (508 x 406 x 305 mm)
Secondary Services	Passivation, Deburring, CMM Inspection, Laser Etching

Partner with Honyo to leverage our CNC machining excellence for stainless steel components where dimensional precision and material integrity are non-negotiable. Initiate your project today via our Online Instant Quote system for engineering-grade solutions backed by 15+ years of precision manufacturing expertise.

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Technical Capabilities

Yes, stainless steel can be cast; however, casting is typically followed by precision machining processes such as 3/4/5-axis milling and turning to achieve tight tolerances and critical features. At Honyo Prototype, we specialize in post-cast machining of stainless steel and other materials to meet exacting engineering requirements. Below are the technical capabilities relevant to machining cast components, with a focus on multi-axis milling, turning, and tight tolerance work across common engineering materials.

Parameter	3-Axis Milling	4-Axis Milling	5-Axis Milling	CNC Turning	Tight Tolerance Capability
Max Work Envelope (mm)	1000 x 600 x 500	800 x 500 x 400	600 x 400 x 400	Ø300 x 500 length	N/A
Positioning Accuracy	±0.01 mm	±0.01 mm	±0.005 mm	±0.01 mm	±0.005 mm (down to ±0.002 mm)
Repeatability	±0.005 mm	±0.005 mm	±0.003 mm	±0.005 mm	±0.002 mm
Typical Surface Finish (Ra)	1.6–3.2 μm	1.6–3.2 μm	0.8–1.6 μm	0.8–1.6 μm	0.4–0.8 μm (precision grind)
Materials Supported	Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, ABS, Nylon	Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, ABS, Nylon	Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Tool Steel, Titanium, ABS, Nylon	Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Brass	All above materials with material-specific fixturing
Minimum Feature Size	0.5 mm (end mill dependent)	0.5 mm	0.3 mm (micro tools)	Ø0.8 mm (drilling/tapping)	0.1 mm (with specialized tooling)
Spindle Speed (max)	24,000 rpm	20,000 rpm	20,000 rpm	8,000 rpm	Variable based on tool path and material
Coolant & Lubrication	Through-spindle, mist, flood	Through-spindle, mist	Through-spindle, mist	High-pressure coolant	Dry cutting or cryogenic for ultra-precision
Typical Applications	Flat surfaces, pockets, drilling	Indexed angular features, slots	Complex contours, impellers, aerospace parts	Shafts, bushings, threaded components	Medical, aerospace, sensors, sealing surfaces

Note: While stainless steel can be cast (e.g., investment casting or sand casting), achieving tight tolerances and fine surface finishes requires CNC machining. Materials such as aluminum and steel are ideal for high-strength machined components, while ABS and nylon are used for functional prototypes or low-wear parts. Honyo Prototype supports hybrid manufacturing workflows—combining casting with precision milling and turning—to deliver fully finished, high-integrity components.

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From CAD to Part: The Process

Honyo Prototype delivers precision stainless steel casting through a rigorously controlled investment casting process optimized for alloys including 304, 316/L, 17-4PH, and custom grades. Our workflow ensures technical feasibility and manufacturability from initial inquiry to certified delivery. Below is the integrated process flow for stainless steel casting projects.

Upload CAD
Clients submit 3D CAD files (STEP, IGES, or native formats) via our secure portal. Our system immediately performs automated geometry validation, checking for non-manifold edges, unit consistency, and minimum feature recognition. For stainless steel casting, initial alloy selection guidance is provided based on application requirements noted in the RFQ, though final material specification is confirmed during DFM. Critical parameters like wall thickness distribution and draft angles are flagged for engineering review.

AI Quote
Our proprietary AI engine analyzes the validated CAD geometry against live production data from 12,000+ stainless steel castings. The algorithm calculates material yield, calculates expected shrinkage (1.5–2.0% for stainless alloys), and references real-time foundry capacity. Within 90 minutes, clients receive a detailed quote including:
Per-part pricing stratified by annual volume tiers
Lead time projection (typically 25–35 days for SS investment casting)
Recommended alloy grade with mechanical property justification
Preliminary gating system visualization

DFM (Design for Manufacturing)
All stainless steel projects undergo mandatory DFM engineering by metallurgy-certified staff. This phase addresses stainless-specific challenges through simulation and expert analysis. Key validation points include:

Parameter	Stainless Steel Specific Check	Acceptance Threshold
Wall Thickness	Solidification simulation for hot spots	Min 2.5mm for 316L at critical sections
Surface Finish	As-cast roughness prediction	Ra 3.2μm achievable per ASTM B808
Dimensional Tolerance	Alloy-specific shrinkage compensation	±0.005 in/in per MSS-SP-55
Internal Defects	Niyama criterion validation	>0.5 for 304L to prevent microporosity

Engineers provide actionable feedback via annotated 3D PDFs, recommending modifications like fillet radius adjustments to prevent shrinkage cavities in 17-4PH or riser placement optimization for 316L. Client approval is required before pattern tooling fabrication.

Production
Approved designs enter our ISO 13485-certified foundry. The stainless steel casting sequence follows:
Pattern creation using low-ash wax with tight thermal expansion control
Ceramic shell building (7–9 layers) with yttria-faced slurry for reactive alloys
Vacuum induction melting under argon atmosphere to prevent chromium oxidation
Directional solidification in controlled cooling curves per alloy specification
Post-cast operations include:
Shot blasting with stainless-specific media to prevent ferrous contamination
Solution annealing at 1050°C ±15°C for 304/316 with rapid quenching
ASTM A967 passivation per client-specified method
100% dimensional verification via CMM against original CAD

Delivery
Final inspection packages include:
Material test reports with actual chemistry (OES verified)
Hardness and tensile test data per ASTM A370
Radiographic inspection reports for critical aerospace/medical parts
Dimensional conformance certificate with deviation mapping
Parts ship in anti-tarnish packaging with humidity indicators. Standard lead time is 28 days from DFM sign-off, with expedited 18-day options for prototype quantities. All stainless steel castings comply with NADCAP AC7106/1 and AS9100 Rev D requirements.

We recommend initiating stainless steel projects with alloy consultation during CAD upload to optimize cost and performance. Our metallurgical team will specify the optimal grade and heat treatment based on corrosion environment and mechanical demands.

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Start Your Project

Yes, we can cast stainless steel at our manufacturing facility in Shenzhen. With extensive experience in precision metal casting, we support prototyping and low-to-mid volume production runs using high-quality stainless steel alloys such as 304, 316, and 17-4 PH.

Our foundry utilizes advanced investment casting and die casting techniques to deliver durable, corrosion-resistant components for industries including automotive, medical, aerospace, and industrial equipment.

For project inquiries or material specifications, contact Susan Leo at [email protected]. We provide full technical support, rapid quoting, and on-time delivery from our Shenzhen factory.

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