Although primarily a production process, die cast designs are occasionally prototyped through the investment casting process. An advantage can be cost effectiveness on longer runs of smaller parts such as hinges, valves and switch enclosures. One disadvantage could be longer lead times or the inability to produce large complex geometries.
The investment casting process can produce some excellent prototype castings; however, there are certain part configurations that do not lend themselves to this process. When the parts are larger or considerably more complex, you may want to consider other prototyping processes.