Die casting is the manufacturing process of choice when producing high volumes of relatively complex metal parts and is widely used due to its versatility, reliability, and accuracy. Die casting eliminates all or most secondary operations needed to make a metal part; however, post-machining is common to meet tighter critical-to-function tolerances. Die casted parts can also be post-processed in any finish their respective CNC machined counterparts can.

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Like injection molding, die casting requires the fabrication of a mold tool--called a die--that can have one or multiple cavities. The process works for softer alloys, including aluminum and zinc alloys, due to their relatively lower melting temperature. Die casting works by injecting molten metal into a die cavity, which takes the shape of the part and hardens into place before removal. Depending on the project scope, die casting can be low- or high-pressure, using a ladle or plunger to deposit metal. Die casting can produce highly complex, tight-tolerance parts in a repeatable manner at very high production volumes. Modern die casting methods such as squeeze casting and semi-solid metal casting produce high-quality parts for nearly every industry. Die casting companies will often specialize in casting aluminum or zinc, with aluminum making up roughly 80% of die cast parts.

Our project managers and experts personally review and manually quote each die casting project to ensure we meet your unique needs while providing a fast and easy manufacturing experience. Learn more about the process and our capabilities in the sections below.

Xometry partners with die casters that utilize the latest die casting machines and technology to deliver high-quality, on-demand parts to a wide variety of industries. Our offering focuses on the two leading types of die casting: hot chamber casting and cold chamber casting. Both types can produce parts with complex geometry, close tolerances, and robust mechanical properties.

Hot Chamber Die Casting

Also known as gooseneck casting, the hot chamber die casting process is the most popular die casting process. It is optimal for working with lower melting point alloys such as zinc, magnesium, and lead. A holding pot is filled with metal and heated with hot chamber die casting until molten by an attached or built-in furnace. A feature of the hot chamber system referred to as the gooseneck forms a holding chamber within the pot and a nozzle-like pathway that connects to the injection cavity of the fixed half of the die. A plunger that sits above the chamber allows it to fill with molten metal from the holding pot. When the chamber is loaded, the plunger lowers and forces molten material up the gooseneck into the die cavity. The mold is held together under pressure while the metal cools and solidifies in the mold. Once the metal is cool enough, the dies open, and the casted piece ejects via ejector pins.

Cold Chamber Die Casting

With the cold chamber die casting process, the chamber remains at room temperature and does not have a holding pot of molten metal. Metal is melted in a separate furnace and deposited into the shot chamber through a pouring hole by hand with a ladle. In cold chamber die casting, the mold is connected directly to the shot chamber and does not utilize a plunger system. Instead, a ram forces molten metal into the mold and held under high pressure while the metal solidifies. This type of die casting is suitable for comparatively higher melting temperature materials such as aluminum.

Several different metal materials are available to choose from when manufacturing using die casting. The material you choose will depend on your intended use for the product. For instance, cast aluminum parts are common in aerospace or automotive applications where corrosion resistance and weight reduction are essential factors. You can learn more about the main types of die casting materials we offer in the sections below. If you have a specific material request, just let us know!

Aluminum Die Casting

Aluminum alloys are the most widely used for die cast parts. Aluminum die casting suppliers benefit from the total recyclability of the material and its ease of use. Due to the comparatively higher melting point, aluminum die casting may require a cold chamber casting process. Engineers use cast aluminum parts primarily for their great strength to weight ratios, dimensional stability, and diverse finishing options. Some of the other common characteristics of cast aluminum alloys are:

• Withstand high operating temperatures
• Corrosion Resistance
• Good stiffness
• High thermal and electrical conductivity

Engineers and designers can choose from a wide range of alloys for their aluminum casting parts. Xometry offers the most popular aluminum die casting alloys, including:

• A360.0
• A380.0
• A383.0 (ADC12)
• A413.0

Zinc Die Casting

Zinc is the easiest to cast material among the die casting metals and is typically used in hot chamber processes. Molten zinc has exceptional casting fluidity and a lower melting point. Its strength and stiffness allow it to produce parts with thinner walls and highly detailed features and maintain tight tolerances. The low melting point of die casting zinc alloys means the zinc die cast components cool off and solidify more quickly, which results in the fastest production rates of the die casting materials. Zinc is an all-around well-performing material due to its balance of mechanical and physical characteristics, which include:

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• Impact strength
• High hardness
• Great stability
• High-quality surface finish and easily plated
• Low melting point

Xometry offers the most popular types of Zamak and ZA die casting zinc alloys. More specifically, those alloys include:

• Zamak 2 (ZA-2)
• Zamak 3 (ZA-3)

Xometry's platform has built-in features that make managing tooled projects a breeze, giving customers greater transparency into production. Find all your tooling quotes and orders in one space with your Tool Library. From there, you can explore their Tool Details page, which covers the current status, milestones, tool specifics, and activity related to that tool. You can also easily find and contact the Xometry team member assigned to your project, no matter the project's current phase.

Our Tool Library and Tool Details pages provide multiple benefits, such as:

Die Casting Services

Metal Casts in Low Volume

For die casting solutions across the globe, LT Century is the go-to provide for low-volume manufacturing at truly China-direct pricing. LT Century is an international-level manufacturer located all under one roof for clear, effective, and quick communication between our engineers, sales team, and you. Dedicated project leads oversee your projects from beginning to end, and all die casted parts we produce are subject to an extreme battery of quality controls.

For quality, customer service, and advanced production customers turn to LT Century. Our sales staff is fluent in English, Mandarin, and several additional languages facilitating easy and clear communication of your ideas and thoughts. For a free project quote within 24 hours, contact us today.

What is Die Casting?

Die casting is the process of shaping non-ferrous metals into solid, seamless, and complex shapes referred to as casts. Casts made in the die casting process are used in innumerable applications across the world in almost any industry imaginable. Nearly any design can be shaped into a cast, simple or complex. Metallic casts offer many advantages including pressure, heat, and corrosion resistance desirable in automotive, aerospace, industrial, and energy fields to name only a few.

• Parts are durable and strong, resistant to pressure and weight
• Casts can be made into extremely complex designs
• A single mold can create thousands of units
• Incredible mathematical precision
• Ready for finishing treatments

No matter how complex your design the process for die casting is simple, efficient, and effective in producing thousands of units quickly and with minimal waste.

Die Cast Parts: Core Advantages

• Strength – parts are made from solid metal
• Workable – metal can be shaped into incredible complex designs
• Efficiency – a single mold can produce thousands of casts
• Brilliant – many metals offer extravagantly brilliant finishes
• Resilient – metal is resistant to heat, chemicals, and pressure
• Fast – Die casting is a fast process that produces units with extreme speed and precision.

The Die Casting Process: A Walkthrough

For thousands of identical metal parts, die casting by LT Century is the fast and efficient solution. Die casting can be used to create complex geometric designs from various metals with extreme accuracy and precision, yet the process itself is simple and straightforward.

1. Using your CAD file, our own CNC shop produces your mold. Our in-house production ensures your design is never compromised, and saves on mold costs considerably. A single mold can be used to create thousands of identical units. Completed molds are sent for casting.
2. Selected metals are superheated and injected into the mold. The liquid metal fills every crevice, assuring the integrity of the casted item. Once the mold is cooled, the metal will be a solid and seamless representation of your design built to incredible mathematical accuracy.
3. The process is quickly repeated and the casts are taken for any selected finishing treatments before being packaged and shipped in our own shipping facility.

Die casts can be made with strong, versatile metals such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and more. The entire process happens very quickly, producing thousands of parts quickly so you can get on with your business. For low volume production of die casted parts LT Century is the fast and only manufacturer offering true China-direct pricing. For a free die casting quote within 24 hours, contact us today.

This process occurs quickly, creating thousands of identical metal casts rapidly and with extreme precision. Parts made with non-ferrous metals such as zinc, aluminum, magnesium, copper and more are strong; they can withstand extreme conditions and environments. If you need metal parts manufactured in low-volume quantities, die casting may be your perfect solution.

Start Your Die Casting Project Today

Whether you are ready to submit a CAD file, doing some initial research, or anywhere in-between our team is ready to assist you however possible. Fluent in many languages including English and Mandarin, our team is standing by to help you find the best manufacturing solution possible for your project.

With LT Century you get:

• A free quote within 24 hours
• A free DFM within 48 hours
• In-house mold production
• Stringent quality controls
• Fast and secure delivery of completed materials

For your free estimate contact us today!