Modern vacuum furnaces for investment casting come in a variety of design, shapes and sizes dependant on applicaton. This paper provides a review of the modern vacuum furnace configurations, the options open to foundries when selecting the appropriate furnaces and discusses the advantages and applicability of each.

Further, there are a number of developments in furnace technology in recent years which include a number of design features to:

- Aid process control

- Provide excellent repeatability of casting

- Highest possible quality of casting

- Highest productivity rates

This paper will describe some of these features and developments included in the latest generation of vacuum furnaces, detailing the significant and distinct process advantages that they can offer.