Here is a 1500 word article about die cast metal products and aluminum die casting companies:( aluminum die casting factory Archibald)
- Time:
- Click:15
- source:NEWRGY CNC Machining
Aluminum Die Casting - An Efficient Manufacturing Process for Precise Metal Parts
Aluminum die casting is a manufacturing process that is widely used to produce precise, high-quality metal parts and components. In this process, molten aluminum alloy is poured under high pressure into a steel mold or 'die' to form the desired shape. Once cooled and solidified, the casting is removed from the die and undergoes post-processing to achieve the required finish and dimensional accuracy.
Some key advantages of aluminum die casting:
- It is efficient for high volume production of complex, detailed parts with tight tolerances. Thousands of identical castings can be made from a single die.
- It produces components with excellent surface finish and dimensional consistency. Minimal additional machining is required.
- Aluminum has advantageous properties for die casting - it has good fluidity when molten, high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
- Aluminum die cast parts have thinner wall sections than plastic injection molded parts, enabling miniaturization and weight reduction.
- Die casting dies have a long service life spanning thousands of shots before replacement is required. This results in lower per-part costs.
Aluminum is the most common alloy used in die casting, accounting for about 50% of all die cast products. Other alloys like zinc, magnesium, copper and silicon are also used for specialized applications.
Die Casting Process
The aluminum die casting process involves the following steps:
1. Molten aluminum is melted and kept at the appropriate temperature in a holding furnace. Precise alloy compositions are used to obtain the required properties in the final cast product.
2. The two die halves are sprayed with a lubricant and closed securely in the die casting machine. The lubricant facilitates smooth ejection of the solidified casting.
3. The molten metal is ladled and poured into a shot sleeve. The shot sleeve plunges into the die and pushes the metal into the die cavity under high pressure. Pressures between 10 to 175 MPa are typical.
4. The metal solidifies rapidly after entering the die cavity, taking the shape of the die. Complex shapes with fine details can be cast.
5. The die halves open and the casting is ejected out using ejector pins. The casting has a final shape very close to the die geometry.
6. Trimming of extra material like sprues and runners is done. Additional finishing operations like grinding and polishing may also be required.
7. The cast products are inspected for defects before shipment. They undergo quality checks and mechanical testing as required.
Prototypes and Low Volume Production
Aluminum die casting can also be economically used for short production runs. While individual die costs are high, unit costs are low for very large production volumes. Hard tooling is required to withstand the high pressures.
For prototype and low volume requires, soft aluminum tooling like Kirksite can be used instead. This helps evaluate the casting design before investing in hard tooling. Silicone rubber tooling is also used - it is flexible and allows easy ejection of complex shapes.
Die Casting Alloys
The commonly used casting alloys are:
- Aluminum alloys like Al380, Al360 - Used for most die cast products due to their strength, corrosion resistance, castability and economy.
- Zinc alloys like ZA-8 and ZA-12 - Used for gravity die casting lower-strength components at lower cost. Excellent castability.
- Magnesium alloys like AZ91D and AM60 - Used for die casting lightweight components for the aerospace and automotive industry. High strength-to-weight ratio.
- Copper alloys like CuZn37 - Used for high strength and wear resistance applications. Often used as a replacement for steel components.
- Silicones like LM25 - Used for very high temperature applications beyond the capability of aluminum alloys.
Die Casting Defects
Some potential defects in die cast products related to the high pressure injection of metal include:
- Porosity - Due to entrapment of air bubbles into the melt.
- Cold shots - Due to premature solidification of metal in the shot sleeve before it enters the die cavity.
- Incomplete cavity filling - Due to low metal fluidity or early solidification.
- Inclusions - Due to foreign particles mixed with the molten metal.
- Sticking - Casting sticks to the die due to improper lubrication.
Proper control of process parameters, die spray techniques, melt cleanliness and temperature are critical for minimizing defects.
Applications of Die Cast Parts
Die casting produces solid metal components with excellent reproducibility, tight tolerances, strength and surface finish. Compared to other manufacturing techniques, it offers a balanced mix of economy, efficiency and precision.
Some typical applications include:
- Automotive - Engine blocks, housings, pumps, levers, wheels and other components with complex shapes. Allows integral parts consolidation.
- Consumer goods - Enclosures for power tools, sewing machines, vacuum cleaners. Kitchen appliances, furniture fittings.
- Industrial machinery - Pumps, valves, hydraulic components, pulleys, gears, rocker arms. High strength needed for durability.
- Electronics - Shielding, covers, frames, heat sinks for motors. Good EMI/RFI shielding for circuit boards.
- Aerospace - Aircraft components like impellers, steps, blades. Lightweight and high strength magnesium castings.
Aluminum Die Casting Companies
There are many aluminum die casting companies offering full range of services - from the initial tooling and process design to post-production services. They manufacture die cast components as per customer specifications and requirements using advanced machines, metal alloys and quality assurance techniques.
Some of the major die casting companies are:
- Lakeshore Die Cast - One of the leading die casters in North America with over 50 years of experience. Multiple manufacturing plants with a very wide range of die casting capabilities.
- Leggett & Platt - Major producer of aluminum and magnesium die cast components for the automotive and other industries. High-volume production capabilities.
- Rockman Industries - Large supplier of aluminum die castings for the automotive industry. Advanced manufacturing and automation technology.
- Gibbs Die Casting - Specialized in providing engineered die castings, producing over 8 million pounds of castings every week.
- Meridian Lightweight Technologies - Provides lightweight magnesium die cast parts for aerospace, defense and auto industries.
- Castalum - Offers aluminum and zinc die casting up to 65,000 tons per year. Has expertise in producing thin-walled and complex castings.
- Palmer Manufacturing & Supply - Leading manufacturer of safety-critical aluminum die castings for truck and automotive OEMs.
- Ryobi Die Casting - One of the largest die casters in the USA, specializing in aluminum die casting for automotive powertrain parts.
Conclusion
Aluminum die casting offers tremendous advantages for manufacturing high volumes of dimensionally precise, complex metal parts with thin walls, excellent finish and repeatability. It is widely used across the automotive, industrial machinery, consumer appliances and other industries. With innovative tooling approaches, prototyping, short run production and other capabilities, die casting delivers the flexibility and economics needed for today's manufacturing demands. CNC Milling CNC Machining