As your manufacturing volumes remain at high levels, die casting is often the obvious casting process to use. But, most manufacturers don’t recognize when the status quo may be hurting them.
Die casting is one of three commonly known aluminum casting processes next to sand casting and permanent mold casting.
Manufacturers cast with die casting when they need high part volumes that require tight tolerances (+/- 0.005″) and low draft angle (.5-2 degrees). Die casting also creates smoother surface finishes compared to sand casting and permanent mold casting. While die casting can’t integrate sand cores (to create internal cavities and undercuts), it can create complex castings.
For various reasons though, volumes may drop and once that happens, die casting is no longer the best fit.
DIE CASTING WITH SERVICE-LEVEL QUANTITIES
Recently, a large OEM reached out and told us the majority of their parts are produced using die casting. In this OEM’s instance, their part designs evolved, while the old designs still needed support in a service environment. They told us their current die casting vendor couldn’t dedicate the time to produce service-level quantities.
In problem situations where your product volumes drop or your current die casting supplier can’t commit to lower quantities, permanent mold casting becomes your solution.
PERMANENT MOLD CASTING WITH DIE CASTING
SERVICE-LEVEL QUANTITIES
Permanent mold has many of the same characteristics and benefits you get with die casting – at a more affordable rate (since you’re only producing service-level quantities).
Much like die casting, permanent mold applies single molds made out of tool steel that create high quality aluminum parts. Each mold typically lasts for ~100,000 pieces. As we mentioned earlier, permanent mold integrates sand cores that achieve complex internal pathways or undercuts.
| Permanent Mold Casting | High Pressure Die Casting | |
| Surface Finish | Better | Best |
| Dimensional Tolerance/Stability | Better (+/- 0.015″) | Best (+/- 0.005″) |
| Undercuts and Internal Passages via Sandcoring | Yes | No |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | Better (min. 3/16″ typical) | Best |
| Annual Production Volumes | 500-100,000 | 20,000-1,000,000+ |
| Tooling Cost | Medium | High |
| Per-Piece Cost | Medium | Low |
| Tooling Turnaround Time | Good | Poor |
In the instance where your die casting supplier can’t – or won’t – accommodate your service-level quantities, permanent mold is the simplest transition to make:
- We have the capacity to take on your service-level requirements and give you the service you expect.
- Our vertically integrated facility gives us the ability to manufacture parts under one roof. This results in reliable delivery and swift turnaround time.
Our engineers can help you launch a new part or produce service-level quantities (for a legacy part) and determine the appropriate process for your part and its purpose.
Depending on what your specifications are and your current casting process, transitioning from one to another can optimize your margins and improve delivery rates.
If you have any questions or would like more details, please feel free to reach out.