Die Casting: Three Guidelines on Managing Your Metal Fabrication Expenses

If you are planning on fabricating custom metal products or parts, you should consider choosing the die casting technique for your project. This method involves forming the desired items by forcing molten metal into dies. The dies, which are typically manufactured using tool steel, are similar to the moulds used in plastic injection moulding. Once the molten metal cools, the desired product is formed. The benefits of the technique include excellent dimensional accuracy, rapid production and high tensile strength casting. Unfortunately, die casting is not an inexpensive fabrication method. If you are concerned about this aspect of your project, consider these guidelines on cost reduction:

Review Your Complex Custom Design

The cost structure for your fabrication project can be significantly influenced by the complexity of the design. In simple terms, there is a lot of money invested in casting equipment and the production of the metal dies. If your model is intricate, there will be more effort and resources expended in creating your die. Therefore, the fabricator will charge your business for manufacturing according to the level of work required to translate your design into the mould. 

If you would like to reduce your total expenses, you should consider simplifying your blueprint. Ideally, you should keep the shapes simple and eliminate nonessential structural progression. Also, you should discuss your design with the fabricator to ensure that the created core can be withdrawn efficiently. If easy withdrawal of the moulded part is not possible, complicated dies must be constructed. This consideration will allow you to negotiate a better price.

Reduce Your Finishing Processes

Die casting is advantageous because the process used molten metal under pressure to create products. The confinement of the liquid material in a die ensures that the surfaces of the products or parts are relatively good. Typically, there are no unsightly projections, burrs or conspicuously rough edges on the final items. Therefore, unless the surface quality of the product must be exceptional, you should consider avoiding secondary finishing processes. If you are concerned about surface pore defects, you can choose pore-free die casting.

Increase Your Custom Order

As mentioned earlier, the most significant disadvantage of die casting is the high financial demand. The equipment, tool steel dies, and other essential components are expensive. Therefore, if you would like to ensure that the process is economical and profitable for your business, you should order a large production volume for your custom goods. This practice will allow you to lower price per unit and negotiate a better price.