Die Casting Services

Get your die casting prototypes and production parts delivered within days

Custom Die Casting Services


MXY is the leading expert in delivering top-notch die casting services. Our team excels in producing highly engineered die casting parts that are utilized in a wide range of durable goods. From machinery and equipment to cars, trucks, and trains, our products are found in approximately 90 percent of these items. Additionally, our die casting parts are also used in various other industries such as defense, medical, aerospace, and even in the creation of art and jewelry. With our commitment to quality and precision, we ensure that our die casting services meet the highest standards in the industry.

Die Casting Process

The process of die casting comprises the injection of liquefied material under high pressure into a mold. The die casting process consists of the following steps:

  • Mold Preparation: The mold is made from high-quality steel and is coated and lubricated to aid the part ejection process.
  • Injection: The molten material (which is usually aluminum, magnesium, or zinc) is injected into the mold cavity at high pressure.
  • Cooling: The molten material hardens within the mold.
  • Ejection: The part is ejected from the mold once it has solidified.
  • Trim: The part is trimmed, removing any excess material or flash.

Die casting applications

The applications of die casting are found in a variety of industries due to the complexity and detail achievable in each part. Common applications of die casting include:

  • Automotive: Engine parts, transmission cases, and structural parts.
  • Electronics: Housings, connectors, and heat sinks.
  • Consumer Goods: Furniture hardware, appliances, and tools.
  • Aerospace: Aircraft components and structural parts.

Advantages of die casting

Die casting offers numerous benefits that have made die casting a popular choice in many manufacturing applications. The advantages of die casting include the following:

  • High Precision: Castings can be produced with very close tolerances and dimensions.
  • Surface Finish: Castings have a good surface finish and require little post-finishing.
  • Strength: Parts are usually stronger than sand cast parts.
  • Cost-Effective: High production rates can be achieved due to high ā€˜pullā€™ on the mold and getting a good surface finish at the same time; most post-finishing can be eliminated.
  • Versatile: Die castings can be produced in virtually any shape.

disadvantages of die casting

Although die casting is a highly desirable method of production, it also has some limitations that need to be taken into consideration when designing parts. Limitations include:

  • High initial costs: Die casting is most cost-efficient in medium to high production quantities ā€“ they have faster production rates.
  • Design restriction: Some geometry limitations can be a downfall to this method of production.
  • Material flow: We always design so material will flow into the farthest reaches of a cavity or mold. The complexity and design of dies are not always successful.
  • Porosity: Not all materials are pore free after casting and, if sealed, without normal post-cast tears or impurities.

Our Injection Molding Capabilities

ServicesDetails
MaterialsOur inventory boasts a massive selection of plastic materials available for immediate purchase.
Choices for Inspection and CertificationIncorporates FAI and PPAP. Compliant with ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, UL, ITAR, as well as ISO 7 and 8 standards for Medical Clean Room molding.
Mold Cavity TolerancesTolerance of Ā± 0.0004″ is applied during the mold machining process, with an added tolerance of Ā± 0.002″ per inch accounted for when considering shrinkage.
Mold OwnershipMold maintenance for customer-owned equipment is provided.
Key Feature TolerancesRequesting tighter tolerances can lead to an increase in tooling costs due to the need for additional sampling and grooming. We ensure that critical features are milled to a steel-safe condition.
Reproducibility of Parts Alignment+/- 0.0003″ or lower
Key Feature TolerancesRequesting tighter tolerances can lead to an increase in tooling costs due to the need for additional sampling and grooming. We ensure that critical features are milled to a steel-safe condition.
Types of Mold AvailableMXY generally manufactures tools in Class 102, 103, and 104, with production grades spanning from Class 105 to Class 101, which is the highest production mold available for steel and aluminum.

Die Casting Types Available from MXY

Hot Chamber Die Casting

Also called gooseneck casting, the hot chamber die casting process is widely used for casting lower melting point alloys like zinc, magnesium, and lead. In this process, a metal-filled holding pot is heated using a hot chamber die casting machine until it becomes molten. The hot chamber system includes a gooseneck feature that forms a holding chamber within the pot and a nozzle-like pathway connecting to the injection cavity of the die. A plunger above the chamber allows molten metal to fill the chamber from the holding pot. Once the chamber is filled, the plunger lowers and pushes the molten material up the gooseneck into the die cavity. The mold is then held under pressure while the metal cools and solidifies. After the metal has cooled sufficiently, the dies open, and the casted piece is ejected using ejector pins.

Cold Chamber Die Casting

The cold chamber die casting method involves keeping the chamber at room temperature without molten metal. Metal is melted in a furnace and poured into the chamber manually using a ladle. Unlike hot chamber die casting, there is no plunger system in cold chamber die casting. Instead, a ram pushes molten metal into the mold under high pressure until it solidifies. This process is ideal for materials with higher melting points like aluminum.

Die Cast Metal Materials

There are various metal materials to choose from for die casting. The material you select will depend on how you plan to use the product. For example, cast aluminum parts are commonly used in aerospace or automotive applications where corrosion resistance and weight reduction are important. You can find more information about the different types of die casting materials we provide below. If you have a specific material request, please inform us!

Aluminum Die Casting

Aluminum alloys are extensively utilized in the production of die cast parts. The recyclability of aluminum and its user-friendly nature provide significant advantages to suppliers in the die casting industry. In certain cases, a cold chamber casting process may be necessary for aluminum die casting due to its relatively higher melting point. Engineers predominantly opt for cast aluminum parts due to their exceptional strength to weight ratios, dimensional stability, and wide range of finishing options.

Zinc Die Casting

Zinc, being one of the die casting metals, is renowned for its ease of casting. It is commonly employed in hot chamber processes. The molten form of zinc exhibits remarkable fluidity, making it ideal for casting. Additionally, it has a relatively low melting point. The strength and stiffness of zinc enable the production of parts with thinner walls and intricate details, while still maintaining precise tolerances. Moreover, the low melting point of zinc alloys used in die casting ensures that the casted parts cool and solidify rapidly, resulting in the highest production rates among die casting materials. Overall, zinc is a versatile material that performs exceptionally well due to its balanced mechanical and physical characteristics.

Die casting usages




Models Depicting Concepts

Product developers can easily produce physical prototypes of their designs using plastic 3D printing, thanks to its speed and versatility in the iterative process.




Rapid Prototyping

Plastic 3D printing enables the production of functional plastic prototypes, including moving parts and all-in-one assemblies.




Digital Production Directly

Plastic 3D Printing is perfect for creating numerous customized or individual parts due to its exceptional precision and reliability.

Die Casting Finishes

Zinc and aluminum zinc components can maintain acceptable corrosion resistance in their as-cast state. On the other hand, aluminum components require a coating in order to resist corrosion. After casting, parts are usually separated from the sprue, resulting in rough marks at the gate locations. Additionally, ejector pins leave visible marks on most castings. The surface finish for as-cast zinc alloys typically ranges from 16 to 64 microinch Ra.

The surface of the part has a sleek, non-glossy finish.

Aluminum is commonly subjected to anodization, a process that forms a protective oxide layer on its surface. Type II anodizing is specifically used to create an oxide finish that is resistant to corrosion. While suppliers have the capability to anodize parts in various colors, the surface of a die cast part does not lend itself well to achieving a visually appealing finish through anodization. On the other hand, Type III anodizing results in a thicker finish that not only provides corrosion resistance but also adds a layer of durability against wear. It is important to note that anodized coatings do not possess electrical conductivity.

All die cast parts have the capability to undergo powder coating. This particular process involves the application of powdered paint onto the part using electrostatic spraying, followed by baking in an oven. Powder coating results in the formation of a robust layer that is resistant to wear and corrosion, surpassing the durability of conventional wet painting techniques. Moreover, a diverse range of colors can be chosen to achieve the desired aesthetic appearance.

All die cast parts can be wet painted in a wide variety of paint formulations and colors.

Die cast parts can be plated with electroless nickel, nickel, brass, tin, chrome, chromate, Teflon, silver and gold.

Suppliers can apply a chromate conversion coat to protect aluminum from corrosion and improve the adhesion of paints and primers. Chemical film conversion coatings are electrically conductive.

Die cast materials are subjected to vibratory media tumbling to remove sharp edged and smooth surfaces.

Don’t see the finish you need? Submit an RFQ and our partner shops will look into a finishing process for you.

Why choose mXY




Endless choices

Select from a wide range of options for your order, including various materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications.



User-friendly

Have your parts conveniently delivered to your doorstep, eliminating the need for sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.



Verified Network

Our certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D. Only the best shops that meet our standards become Suppliers.

The process of placing an order with us

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Submit CAD file

Please securely upload the design of your part to our online quoting tool.

Confirm specs

Tailor your part specifications and select a lead time that fits your schedule.

Receive instant quote

Get an accurate quote after our experts evaluate your drawing.

Manufacturing

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Quality assurance

We fully commit to ensuring that your parts are produced in accordance with our quality criteria.

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FAQ's

The maximum size for die casting typically ranges from parts weighing a few grams to components weighing up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds).

Aluminum would be the most appropriate material for die casting. Due to the many advantages of aluminum alloys; lightweight, high strength, corrosion resistance, it features good thermal and electrical conductivity. These properties make aluminum the material of choice for products that need to be light and strong and corrosion-proof, and environmentally friendly to thermal and conductor, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Die casting is pretty strong. The strength of parts made through die casting mainly depends on the materials used. Aluminum parts made through die casting have great mechanical properties, like high strength, resistance to corrosion, and durability. Zinc parts made through die casting are known for their amazing strength, resistance to impact, and ability to handle high pressures. Overall, die cast parts are really popular in lots of industries because they can create complex shapes with really high precision and good mechanical strength.

H13 tool steel is the most optimal steel for die casting. It is used on a wide scale as it has an amazing resistance to thermal fatigue, heat cracking and wear. At high temperatures H13 steel doesnā€™t lose its strength which makes it perfect for high-pressure die casting environments. Moreover, it possesses satisfactory toughness and machinability that allow increasing service life of die-casting molds.