Automotive Die Casting: A Guide to Die Casting for Automotive Industry
Technology continues to evolve daily, and the automotive world is not left behind. In today’s market, manufacturers and project managers …
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The extremely high level of precision needed within the aerospace industry makes CNC machining a suitable manufacturing process for the sector.
This article provides you with a complete guide to aerospace machining and its importance.
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If you want to produce high-quality machined parts with a sleek appearance, it’s essential to consider some critical factors related to CNC machining.
Here, we’ve gathered some basic information and important considerations to help you achieve the desired results.
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If you have needs of custom metal parts, RapidDirect is a die casting service manufacturer that can help. Since 2009, we’ve hold our engineering team and equipment to a high standard to continually deliver strong and durable parts and prototypes. To ensure legendary quality, we operate strict die casting process that ensures that your custom requirements are being met. These are two types of die casting capabilities we provide.
Hot chamber die casting, also known as gooseneck casting, is a considerably quick process with a typical casting cycle only 15 to 20 minutes. It allows for high volume manufacturing of comparatively complex parts.
The process is ideal for zinc alloy, lean alloys, copper and other alloys with low melting point.
Cold chamber die casting process is an very important procedure which helps reduce the amount of heat and solve the corrosion problem in machine’s plunder and related components.
The process is primarily used for alloys with high melting points, like aluminum, magnesium, some copper, and ferrous alloys.
We provide a wide range of possible material types, surface finish options, tolerances, and manufacturing processes for your die casting parts. Based on your custom needs, we offer you different quotes and manufacturing suggestions so that you can get an individual approach and the most cost-effective solution.
We have established numerous of our own plants in China to make sure your casting parts are manufactured with high efficiency and fast lead time. Besides, our manufacturing capabilities take advantage of up-to-date and automated facilities that can support an assortment of your customized die casting projects, though their designs are complicated.
We are ISO 9001:2015 certificated company and committed to providing precision die casting services. Dedicated engineering team of RapidDirect operates rigorous quality inspections in different stages of the manufacturing process: pre-production, in-production, first article inspection and before delivery to ensure the highest quality parts are manufactured.
Advanced online quoting platform to enable you to upload design files and get a fast quotation for your die cast metal parts anytime and anywhere. Order tracking system on our platform allows you to monitor all of your orders and quotes and view each stage of the manufacturing process once you place orders. This makes the order process clear and transparent.
As a tech-driven die casting company, we have developed AI powered quotation platform that simplifies your ordering and manufacturing process.
Get in-bulk die casting quotes, allowing you to make a pricing comparison between different specs, quantities, raw material, and surface finishes, and helping you choose the solution that best suits your needs and budget.
Our online platform enables real-time visibility of the die casting manufacturing process that fosters more efficient operation monitoring and quicker response to negative changes.
Quickly check, search, and manage all your die casting orders in one place. What's even better is that you get visibility into all stages of the production process and every aspect of the manufacturing operation.
Die casting is a highly effective method for producing top-quality prototypes and small-batch parts, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications. Our team is here to assist you in achieving your manufacturing objectives by providing expert die casting services.
And affordable and efficient method for creating high-quality prototypes. This process utilizes low-cost tooling, making it a cost-effective way to produce prototypes with various materials and design changes.
We help you create die casting products ideal for market and consumer testing, concept models, and user evaluation. Our die casting services allow you to incorporate changes quickly for further testing and market launch.
Die cast parts are excellent options for custom and first-run production. You can cost-effectively test product quality before starting full-scale production.
Dimension | Standards |
Minimum part weight | 0.017 kg |
Maximum part weight | 12 kg |
Minimum part size | ∅ 17 mm × 4 mm |
Maximum part size | 300 mm × 650 mm |
Minimum wall thickness | 0.8 mm |
Maximum wall thickness | 12.7 mm |
Tolerance class for casting | ISO 8062 ST5 |
Minimum possible batch | 1000 pcs |
The non-ferrous metals that have low fusing temperature can be used for the die casting process, like aluminum, zinc, magnesium, lead, copper. But some uncommon and ferrous metals are also possible. The following will explain the properties of the commonly used die casting alloys that we use for the majority of parts.
Aluminum die casting alloy is lightweight structural metal mainly containing silicon, copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc.
It exhibits high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, cutting performance, and small linear shrinkage, making it has excellent casting performance and filling ability.
Moreover, aluminum alloys can maintain good mechanical properties under high or low temperatures because of their small density and high strength.
Commonly used Aluminum alloys:
A380, A360, A390. A413, ADC-12, ADC-1
The main elements added to zinc die casting alloy are aluminum, copper and magnesium.
It provides a good surface finish without the need for secondary processing. Importantly, zinc alloy is more cost-effective and stronger than other comparable alloys.
Also, it has better fluidity and corrosion resistance so they are mainly used for die-casting meters, automotive parts housings, and other complex metal parts.
Commonly used Zinc alloys:
Zamak-2, Zamak-3, Zamak-5, Zamak-7, ZA-8, ZA-12, ZA-27
The main alloying elements of Magnesium die casting alloy are aluminum, zinc, manganese, cerium, thorium and a small amount of zirconium or cadmium.
It has the advantages of high strength, low viscosity, good fluidity, great corrosion resistance and easy filling of complex cavities.
Magnesium alloy can be used for die casting of mold and thin-wall parts without thermal cracks.
Commonly used Magnesium alloys:
AZ91D, AM60B, AS41B
Post-processing and finishing is the final step of precision die casting. Finishing can be applied to remove the surface defects of cast parts, enhance mechanical or chemical properties, and improve products’ cosmetic appearance. There are six types of die casting surface finish options.
Name | Description | Materials | Color | Texture | Link |
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As Cast | Regular casting finish obtained without the use of high-end tools or machinery. Like Zinc and Aluminum-Zinc parts can be as cast but still keep high corrosion resistance. | All materials | n/a | n/a | / |
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Powder Coating | Powder coating can be used to spray a free-flowing, dry powder to the zinc alloy and aluminum alloy die casting. Under strong electrostatic and high temperature, the powder will be uniformly adsorbed on the surface of the casting, forming a powder layer that can mask defects very well. |
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel |
Black, any RAL code or Pantone number | Gloss or semi-gloss | Learn More>> |
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Bead Blasting | Bead Blasting is a process that sprays fine glass beads at high speed onto the surface of die casting parts using compressed air as the powder. The appearance or shape is changed, and the part obtains excellent cleaning and surface preparation for secondary finishing operations. | ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a |
Matte |
|
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Anodizing | Mainly for aluminum alloy die casting. Anodizing utilizes electrochemical principles to generate a layer of Al2O3 (aluminum oxide) film on the surface of the parts. This decorative layer of oxide film provides high insulation and wear resistance. |
Aluminum |
Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold |
Smooth, matte finish |
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Electro Phoresis |
Used for aluminum alloy, zinc alloy die casting, etc. Electrophoresis applies metallic luster and an unlimited range of colors on the casting parts. It also can enhance the surface properties and corrosion resistance of metal alloy parts. |
Aluminum, Zinc, Stainless Steel |
Any |
Metallic luster |
/ |
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Electroplating | Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common. |
Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel |
n/a | Smooth, glossy finish | |
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Brushing | Brushing is a surface treatment process in which abrasive belts are used to draw traces on the surface of a material, usually for aesthetic purposes. |
ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel |
n/a | Satin |
Die casting is a versatile manufacturing technique, and it plays an important role in creating and producing many modern products, from aerospace structural parts to electrical enclosures. RapidDirect has provided innovative manufacturing solutions for different industrial applications. We offer high quality parts at competitive pricing to value customers in the following industries:
Check out our extensive gallery that shows precision die casts from our valued customers.
A customer’s words have a more substantial impact than a company’s claims – and see what our satisfied customers have said regarding how we fulfilled their requirements.
Our company ordered aluminum die casts we need for an assembly process from RapidDirect. We have highly precise manufacturing requirements, which RapidDirect is able to meet. They provide high-quality goods at a reasonable price. We will keep using RapidDirect, and we strongly advise any other company that requires diecast to do the same!
Stella Galic
– Director of Product Development
Contact RapidDirect for any of your aluminum die casting needs. We use their manufacturing line for automotive parts. They guarantee the longevity of products for our customers. Their customer service was easy to reach, and we haven’t encountered any problems and will keep supporting and referring.
Keziah Latham
– Lead Mechanical Engineer
My company hires RapidDirect to supply die casts for our consumer products. We have precise QA requirements that we must meet, and RapidDirect has been up to the challenge. They provide prompt service, and we have not been let down. We’ll keep using RapidDirect!
William Kolodziej
– Product Engineer
RapidDirect has provided us with their die casting services for our assembly. Their products are of very high quality and precision. They have been a pleasure to work with because of excellent their customer service.
Jordan Atwood
– Project Manager
I have used RapidDirect’s die casting services since June 2019. They have always been responsive, proactive, and professional in responding to my requests. RapidDirect is instrumental in bringing my designs to reality, and every part exceeds my expectations.
Stuart Drakulic
– Engineer
RapidDirect works with leading manufacturers from different industries to support growing demands and streamline their supply chain. The digitalization of our custom die casting services helps more and more manufacturers bring their idea to products.
There are 5 steps to produce die casting products.
Step 1: Prepare mold. You need to heat the mold to a specific temperature and then spray the interiors of the mold with a refractory coating or lubricant.
Step 2: Inject material. After the solid metal alloy is melted into a liquid state, pour molten metal into the mold under a required pressure.
Step 3: Cool the metal. Once the molten metal is injected into the cavity, take sufficient time to let it harden so that it can form the shape of the mold.
Step 4: Unclamp the mold. Next, unclamp the mold carefully and take out the cast part.
Step 5: Trim the casting part. The last step is to trim sharp edges and excess material to make the desired component shape.
There are numbers of metals and alloys to choose for die casting project. The commonly used metals are zinc, aluminum and magnesium. Also, you can choose copper, brass, tin and lead for custom casting parts, However, it’s hard to determine the best metal because each metal alloy has its unique physical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore, if choosing the ideal metal bothers you, a custom die casting parts manufacturer RapidDirect can help you.
Yes, the temperature is a very significant factor in metal casting. The proper temperature can ensure the metal alloy is heated correctly and continuously flow into the mold. Otherwise, too high temperature can result in the damage of the mold; too low temperature can lead to shrinkage defects of the cast parts. So, it’s important to monitor the temperature.
There is no fixed answer. The casting parts are commonly produced using aluminum, zinc and magnesium that are not mainly made from iron, which makes them corrosion resistant and hardly rust. But if you don’t protect your products in the right way for a long time, there is the possibility that they will rust.
Technology continues to evolve daily, and the automotive world is not left behind. In today’s market, manufacturers and project managers …
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