Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cold Chamber
Die Casting Machine
for Aluminum
Hot Chamber
Die Casting Machine
for Zinc
This eBook is a continuing work in progress. It is designed for those people who know very little
or nothing about die casting, yet are interested in either starting a die casting business or in the process
itself. The descriptions contained in this eBook are introduced and explained in the most basic form and
in layman's terms, so they can be understood even by those not familiar with die casting.
As time permits, I will add more information and new headings. If you would like to add to this
eBook from your own experience in the die casting industry, please feel free to contact me at
jack@betadiecasting.com
Jack Iwanski
Jack Iwanski
Die casting is a rewarding, exciting and profitable business. However, like all businesses it has its
challenges and pitfalls. The key is to identify what they are and how to either overcome them or avoid
them all together. Over my many years in the die casting business I have seen all sorts of approaches to
the die casting business. However, I have seen time and again that buying good quality used equipment
has been the secret sauce to the success of many die casters. Regardless, if it has been during good
times or bad times, the companies who have kept their costs down and have taken advantage of the
benefits of used equipment are still in business and are making a profit. The reason is simple. They
have a competitive edge over those who have gone into deep debt buying extremely expensive, new
machines.
APPLICATION:
Die casting is used to make various cast alloy parts in different sizes for a wide variety of
applications. The die casting process is very efficient and can produce large volumes of castings in a
short period of time and has extremely precise repeatability. The flexibility of product types, casting sizes,
a virtually infinite possibility of shapes makes die casting the preferred process for a wide variety of
industries. While die casting dies are more expensive than dies for other forms of casting, such as sand
casting and permanent mold casting or gravity casting, die cast parts offer many advantages such as
very high tolerances, precise repeatability, less porosity, sharply defined parts and a possibility of
textured or smooth surfaces.
Casting Methods:
GOAL Die Casting Permanent Mold Investment Casting Sand Casting
Surface Finish 3 2 2.5 1
Complex Shapes 3 2 3 1
Size Accuracy 3 2 2.5 1
Porosity 3 2 2 1
Production Speed 3 2 2 1
Tooling Cost 1 2 1 3
Cost Per Part 3 2 1 2
LIMITATIONS:
With the development of CAD programs, die casting simulation programs and the development of
sophisticated shot monitoring and shot control systems of die casting machines, most limitations for die
casting have been overcome. There are basically only two limitations left. The first is size and weight of
the casting. The size of the physical dimensions of the casting will determine the size of the machine that
is required. However, obviously there is a size limit to this. The item being cast must fit into the mold (die)
with sufficient clearance all around the casting and then mold (die) itself then must fit into the die casting
machine. The mold (die) clearance determining factor is the "distance between tie bars" on the die
casting machine. The mold (die) must be able to fit between these dimensions with reasonable
clearance. So for example, a 600 ton die casting machine usually will have a distance between tie bars
of 737 mm H x 737 mm W (29"H x 29"W). If the mold (die) is bigger than that you will have to move up to
the next size of machine. The largest size of machine ever produced has been a 4000 ton machine with
a "distance between tie bars" of 1780 mm H x 1780 mm W (70" H x 70" W) and a max shot weight of
65kg (143 lbs).
The other limitation is the weight of the casting. For example, a 600 ton die casting machine
usually has a maximum shot weight of about 7 kg (15 lbs). The shot weight is defined as the total weight
of the metal that is injected. The shot weight therefore includes the actual casting plus any runners,
gates and the brisket. The reason for the weight limitation is that the die casting machine must have
There are many things to take under consideration when buying a die casting machine. This
section has been designed to simplify the process of sifting through all the options and selecting the right
machine for your needs.
NEW OR SECONDHAND?
This is the age old question that most people have. However, most people do not realize that
when it comes to die casting machines (as with many other products), manufacturers of these machines
produce several "export versions" depending on which "region" of the world they will be sold to. For
example, die casting machines produced for the North American market will vary greatly in the quality of
materials and technical capabilities when compared to machines produced for "developing" countries.
The reality of the matter is that the North American market is much more "mature" and generally
speaking has much greater requirements and expectations than other developing markets do. In
addition, the level of sophistication, the product technology and budgets for equipment acquisition is
greater as well. As such, many die casting machine manufacturers who have been relatively successful
in producing machines for developing counties have had almost NO success in developed countries like
North America, Europe and other developed markets.
In the world market, these machines have become known as "disposable" machines (possibly the
term came from disposable shavers). Where as a machine made in North America or Europe can be
rebuilt many times over and over due to superior quality steel, such disposable machines have a very
short lifespan of only a few years. After that, it is very hard, if not impossible, to rebuild them properly
since the quality of the metal is very poor.
EXAMPLE: WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER TO DRIVE AND BE SEEN IN EVERY DAY??
OR
The answer to the above question becomes even more obvious when one takes into account the
long term performance of the vehicle, the reliability, the comfort, the amount maintenance, the frequency
of maintenance and finally the resale value. It is very similar with a die casting machine. The question
takes on even more significance when you keep in mind that many of your customers for die casting
projects will want to visit you and see your equipment.
If you have good quality, Brand Name equipment it will be a lot easier to build confidence in
your customer and get the project from them. This is even more so the case with larger orders and
dealing with larger companies. Educated customers today know that if you have good quality, world
class, brand name machines, then there is a much higher chance that castings will be good. It makes
sense.
At the end of the day, good customers (the kind that you want) need to be convinced that you can
do the work and that the work will be done on good equipment. Simply put, seeing good equipment in
you facility, helps them to sleep well at night.
1) Cold Chamber:
Used primarily for aluminum castings (occasionally
specialized machines for brass and magnesium)
2) Hot Chamber:
Used primarily for zinc and lead (occasionally
specialized machines for brass and magnesium
castings)
3) Multi-Slide:
Used for zinc (occasionally specialized machines
for magnesium castings)
1) FULLY AUTOMATIC:
This term means that the die casting machine can perform the whole casting process (mentioned
above) "automatically" without operator intervention or help in the form of manual labor. As such, in order
for the machine to be called "fully automatic" the machine must include all three (3) automatic devices
(referred to in the industry as automation);
While a worker can do all the primary machine processes, to remain competitive it is recommended to
consider a fully automatic machine. The only exception to this would be for a company which does very
small runs or batches of castings. Even in such circumstances, more likely than not a semi-automatic
should be considered. The savings in labor costs and consistency of casting quality is substantial. Not
only that automation allows for more predictability and foresting of production output.
a) Ladling: The process of transferring the molten metal from the furnace to the
shot sleeve. This process can be done manually by the machine operator or
automatically but a mechanical ladling device.
(NOTE: In hot chamber machines the process of transferring the molten metal is
done internally in the machine. As such, no external mechanical device is need).
c) Extraction: The process of removing the finished casting from the die before
the next cycle starts. This process can be done manually by the machine operator
or automatically but a mechanical extracting device.
4) Tertiary Processes
There are many tertiary processes that casting can go through. Among them are surface
finishing, drilling, tapping, painting, assembly, etc.
Die casting machines are classified based on locking tonnage. For example, an 800 ton machine
has a locking tonnage of 800 tons. Machine specifications vary from brand to brand and even sometimes
from year to year. The following chart shows some basic average specifications gathered from several
brands over a period of time. Of course, some manufacturers have produced sizes of machines which fall
in between the sizes shown below (for example 500 ton) however, the chart is just for basic reference.
Each machine size has a flexible shot range (low and high). The shot range can be switched by
changing the diameter of the shot sleeve and plunger hence the shot weight below shows a range that is
usually possible with each size of machine. A small amount of machines larger than 2500 ton have
been manufactured, however these are very rare and extremely expensive.
Since a die casting machine is selected based on a combination of die size and shot weight, the
following tables show some basic guidelines in selecting the correct size of machine for your needs. The
distance between tie bars is the maximum size of die that will fit into the machine. The die can be single
cavity or multiple cavity.
Project Categories:
It is not possible for die casting machine manufacturers to give figures for actual cycle time
without sufficient information about each proposed casting and the amount of cavities in the die.
However, these figures are obtainable from either a die maker or by using die casting simulation
software and vary greatly from project to project. Such figures are important because they will tell you
how much time it would take for the casting(s) to solidify in the cavity(s) after injection and before the
machine can open the die and the casting(s) can be removed. So, as you can see, at best, die casting
machine manufactures can only provide dry cycle times.
EXAMPLES:
The following examples are based on a die casting machine which has a 4 second dry cycle. Keep in
mind this is only theoretical and does NOT include cooling time.
When considering the purchase of a used machine, ultimately you have two basic choices.
BUYING PRIVATELY:
The first choice is to buy privately from a die casting company. However, when you think about it,
this choice is very often limited, actually more so then you would expect. First of all, by calling from die
caster to die caster it is hard to locate the right machine for your needs.
Secondly, there are used machinery dealers like my company, in which it is their business to call
and keep in contact with all die casters on a regular bases and find out if they have machines for sale.
For example, our company is in touch with just about every die caster on the planet. When we do find a
good machine, we snatch up before it even sees daylight. Therefore, your chances of finding a good
machine just phoning around becomes very remote.
1) Non-stocking dealers sell machines that they have not purchased with their own money. As
such, they take no responsibility for these machines. They basically sell and run.
2) Non-stocking dealers have no stock on hand and so they can disappear very quickly. They
have no big, heavy machines to move which takes time, effort and money.
3) Non-stocking dealers offer machines that a stocking dealer like my company already passed
up or refused to purchase. When we pass on a machine there must be a very good reason.
Non-stocking dealers usually offer the leftovers after stocking dealers pick over the good
ones.
- Does not invest any of his own money in - Invests own their money in the machine.
the machine.
- Takes pride in responsibility in after-sales.
- Takes no responsibility in after-sale.
- Business is built on long term
- Here today (but can disappear tomorrow). relationships.
MORE INFORMATION:
As mentioned this eBook is a work in progress. If you would like more reference material, check
out these links;