PITTSBURG, Kan. — Aspiring investment casting professionals from major aerospace companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX are spending the week in Pittsburg, primarily on the campus of Pittsburg State University, as part of the annual Investment Casting Institute’s certification course, held in the Crossland College of Technology.  

The only certification course of its kind, the program is in its 24th consecutive year.

“They come from all over the U.S.,” said instructor Quentin Holmes. “… Our participants actually come from across the globe … We have SpaceX here, someone from SpaceX that’s an instructor, participants from Blue Origin are here learning, Yamaha, large companies … This is the only one in the world. If you want to be the best, you come here ... It’s an annual certification course to become an investment casting specialist, administered through the Investment Casting Institute, hosted by Pittsburg State University.” 

Participants in the course are guided through each step of investment casting. They participate in hands-on experiences while spending time in the classroom, learning from the program’s experienced instructors.  

Investment casting is a manufacturing method that involves creating a wax pattern in the precise shape of the object to be cast. It is often referred to as precision casting or lost-wax casting. After a refractory ceramic substance has been applied to the design, it is turned upside down and heated until the wax melts and drains out.  

The finished object has an interior hollow created by the melting wax. After that, molten metal is poured into the wax pattern's original cavity, where it cools and hardens. After the ceramic is taken off of the metal casting, a precise metal product remains. 

“Investment casting is something that is everywhere,” said Holmes. “Used in aerospace. Jet engine components are investment cast; all kinds of things are investment cast … What we have is we have guest instructors that basically go through the entire process of investment casting from start to finish. From pattern design all the way to the finished product and they are industry experts in their specific field of study.” 

On Friday, the participants learned about the proper chemistry required to create the casting, focusing on areas such as density. Participants in another room focused on making a slurry and beginning on the wax patterns. 

Through the years, the program has welcomed participants from all over the world such as South Korea, Mexico, Ireland, Singapore, Austria, and Italy. While they are here, the participants also get the chance to visit the Crawford County area, stopping at area bars, fried chicken houses, and more during their week-long stay in Gorilla Country.

“It’s almost like a fraternity where everyone wants to help each other, solve problems,” added Holmes. “There’s a goal to bring American manufacturing back. We lost a lot of foundries over the years and there’s an initiative through METAL, which is a Department of Defense initiative, to bring American manufacturing back to the U.S.; predominately in metal casting industry.”

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.