Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high or low or vacuum pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process. Most die castings are made from ferrous & non-ferrous metals, specifically steel, zinc, copper, aluminium, magnesium, lead, pewter, and tin-based alloys. Depending on the type of metal being cast, a hot- or cold-chamber machine is used.
The casting equipment and the metal dies represent large capital costs and this tends to limit the process to high-volume production. Manufacture of parts using die casting is relatively simple, involving only four main steps, which keeps the incremental cost per item low. It is especially suited for a large quantity of small- to medium-sized castings, which is why die casting produces more castings than any other casting process. Die castings are characterized by a very good surface finish (by casting standards) and dimensional consistency.
Pressure Die Casting Manufacturing Process Step Explanation
1. Casting Simulation
2. Tool Development
3. Melting
4. Metal Injection
5. Fettling
6. Heat Treatment
7. Finishing
8. Machining
9. Shipment
Casting Simulation – Main objective of using computer-aided casting design and simulation
software to casting
process is to offer maximum data on casting quality by predicting solidification occurrences and associated
features which can be helpful to get an optimum level cast part soundness with maximum defect free component.
Tool Development – The first step involves designing and building a metal die from super alloy. This die creates a same replica of the desired part by injecting melted metal under high or low or vacuum pressure into the cavity. The die can be made as a simple one cavity manual tool or a complex multi-cavity automatic tool depending on volume requirements.
Melting – Internal melting chamber will be used for alloying or raw material in the form of ingot or virgin metal where the molten metal will be prepared in internal chamber with the machine itself with proper close chamber controlled environment so the minimum oxidation process with alloying elements can be done.
Metal Injection – The molten metal has taken place from liquids to superheat temperature as per material requirement then particular desired temperature will be set in chamber then metal injection will be done in mould with certain pressure required as per metal type and during this process mould must be closed or sealed so the entire mirror image of the mould can be take place net shape of the component.
Fettling – Parts will be grind on gating or feeding system with near and net shape matching of the exact cast part then it will be done shot blasting or ceramic blasting as per the material specification or process selection of fettling stage.
Heat Treatment – The purpose of heat treatment is to change a mechanical property or combination of mechanical properties so that the metal will be more useful, serviceable, and safe for a definite purpose. By heat treating, a metal can be made harder, stronger, and more resistant to impact, heat treatment can also make a metal softer and more ductile.
Finishing – Parts will be done with super finishing process where some multi-type metal, glass and ceramic media will be used for the process to make a superior level surface finish as per process demand or customer specific requirement point of view.
Machining – Various machining techniques are then employed including CNC or VMC or HMC or VTL or SPM to achieve the final surface finish & dimensions needed to more important with function, fitment & application area point of view then after with all quality checks & approval before despatch.
Shipment – Parts will be done with standard or customised packaging system to make a shipment on desired location by customer, From the beginning level incoterms has been already set for the goods despatch and clearance of the shipment with particular system & process.
Pressure Die Casting Applications or Business Areas
Pressure Die Casting can be used in various industry to make an optimum level solutions where the typical applications or business areas you can check with the click on this link https://www.gravitycastindia.com/products
Pressure Die Casting Advantages
Economical cost
High productivity
Close dimensional control
Superior surface finish
Thin wall thickness
Lighter weight
Good aesthetic look
Reduce post machining
Pressure Die Casting Disadvantages
Expensive tool cost
Average part soundness
Difficult to cast complex geometry
Why buy Pressure Die Casting ?
High Production Volume
High Level Accuracy
Avoid Majour Machining
Material Saving
Good Part Soundness
Excellent Aesthetic Look
What is Tooling Development lead-time for Pressure Die Casting Process ?
Tooling, Jig-Fixture and Gauges Development.
Simple Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
Average Components - 10 to 12 weeks.
Critical Components - 12 to 15 weeks.
What is Sample Development lead-time for Pressure Die Casting Process ?
As-Raw Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 1 to 2 weeks.
Average Components - 2 to 3 weeks.
Critical Components - 3 to 4 weeks.
Machined Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 2 to 4 weeks.
Average Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Critical Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Assembled Product Sample Development for Initial Customer Approval.
Simple Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Average Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Critical Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
What is Bulk Production lead-time for Pressure Die Casting Process ?
As-Raw Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.
Simple Components - 2 to 4 weeks.
Average Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Critical Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Machined Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.
Simple Components - 4 to 6 weeks.
Average Components - 6 to 8 weeks.
Critical Components - 8 to 10 weeks.
Assembled Product Bulk Production after Sample Approval.