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• - Aluminum Alloys
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Die Castings FAQ

1. What is Die Casting? How is it different from other "casting" process?
2. I don't have experience desiging parts for die casting, and want to bring existing machined parts to die casting. What should I know?
3. Can fasteners or hardware be installed on the die casted parts?
4. We are new to the die casting process, where should we start?
5. What information do you need in order to provide an accurate quote? How soon can I get a quote?
6. How do customers choose the right die casting alloy: magnesium, aluminum, or zinc?
7. How do customers specifiy the color we need painted on the die casted parts?
8. What are your minimum order quantities (MOQ's) for die casting parts?
9. What is magnesium?
10. What tolerance can you support in your die castings?

Q. What is Die Casting? How is it different from other "casting" process?
"Die casting is the process of forcing molten metal under high pressure into mold cavities (which are machined into dies). Most die castings are made from non-ferrous metals." (source: Wikipedia). It's known as "pressure die casting" in Europe.

"Gravity casting" (a.k.a. "permanent mold casting" in USA and Canada) uses gravity to fill the mold.

Q. I don't have experience desiging parts for die casting, and want to bring existing machined parts to die casting. What should I know?
Here are some basic design guidelines for die casting parts:

1. Even wall thickness.
2. Roudning of all edges and corners.
3. Smooth blending and continuity of all the features.

We will provide additional design modifcation suggestions to make sure your parts are casted successfully.

Q. Can fasteners or hardware be installed on the die casted parts?
Yes, we can put PEM studs, nuts, Southco fasteners, or hardware like McMaster-Carr components or inserts to the casted parts.

Q. We are new to the die casting process, where should we start?
You can start by providing the part's 2D and 3D drawings to us. We can provide Design For Manufacture (DFM) service for you—plese see our Design for Manufacture Tips for Die Cast Parts article.

Q. What information do you need in order to provide an accurate quote? How soon can I get a quote?
Please provide us with the part's 3D CAD drawings (such as IGES, STEP, or X_T). We can also quote based on 2D drawings (in DWG, DXF, or even PDF format [but with weight information]). We can also import CAD files directly from popular CAD software, such as Pro/ENGINEER, UGS, Catia, and Solid Edge. In addition, we need the production information listed in our request for quote form. Quoting turnaorund is typically within a week, and can be even sooner if there is special timing constraint.

Q. How do customers choose the right die casting alloy: magnesium, aluminum, or zinc?
Magnesium has a density of 1.74 g/cm³, and is the lightest structural metal in common use. Aluminium has a density of about 2.71 g/cm³, and is the most widely used alloy for castings worldwide. Zinc offers a wide range of excellent physical and mechanical properties, and can be used to achieve thinner sections in the parts. Please see the page on material properties .

Q. How do customers specifiy the color we need painted on the die casted parts?
You can specify your color by using RAL or Pantone color codes. If you don’t have the color code, you can send us a color chip or a color sample for us to come up with a matching color chip.

Q. What are your minmum order quantities (MOQ's) for die casting parts?
Due to our specialty in short run orders, we are very flexible in order quantities. Our quotes always break down pricing by MOQ's: e.g., there might be a price premium if orders are below 3,000 pcs., and another one if orders are below 1,500 pcs. (these numbers vary and are just for examples).

Q. What is magnesium?
Magnesium is: among 1) the lightest of all metals (63% of aluminum, 38% of titanium); 2) stronger than engineering plastics; 3) 100 times better in heat dissipation than plastics; 4) electromagnetic-shielding; 5) best in vibration absorption of all metals; 6) environmentally safe (non-hazardous and recyclable); 7) easy to machine; 8) abundant in supply (sixth most abundant on earth).

Q. What tolerace can you support in your die castings?
We support NADCA standard tolerance for die castings.