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A proper design approach can substantially enhance your manufacturing experience. If you are new to the aluminum die casting industry or want to boost your knowledge of die casting parts designing, then this aluminum die casting design guide is for you. Mechanical engineers and product designers would find this design guide useful. We highlighted the important design factors and limitations that can significantly simplify the aluminum die casting process thus reducing the production cost.
A designer must provide a sufficient draft wherever it’s necessary. Because without an adequate draft, the casting will be hard to eject after solidifying and there remains a possibility to damage the part or even the die itself.
The draft is one of the most important design parameters for aluminum die casting. It is the tapering or inclination provided to the cores and surfaces of a part that are perpendicular to the parting line of the die. We also call it a draft angle.
There are numerous other aluminum alloys available as well. You have to choose the right aluminum alloy based on your requirements and budget constraints.
Some of the popular aluminum alloys you can use for die casting include,
Depending upon the composition of alloying elements used with aluminum, the properties such as weight, fluidity, strength, conductivity, melting point, etc. can vary. But not all of them are suitable for die casting material .
The product design can significantly vary depending upon your material choice. There will be certain limitations imposed for each type of alloy. Optimum integrity and strength of your aluminum die cast parts require careful design and execution.
We have focused on the major features present in aluminum die casting design. You will find recommended precision for many important features and learn about the design considerations you should be following during product design.
Properly designing an aluminum die cast part comes with many challenges. Even the smallest features in a design can have a great impact on the casting operation. So, each of the details should be designed with proper care according to the recommended guidelines.
For example, adding pockets allow you to design lighter parts without sacrificing performance. It allows you to cut down material costs. Then reducing or eliminating undercuts and sharp corners can greatly reduce the cost and difficulty of tooling and casting.
An experienced designer can greatly reduce the die casting expenses without compromising the quality of your parts. You should follow certain design parameters to avoid overdesigning your parts and ending up incurring unnecessary costs.
You should run a detailed cost budget analysis of your project. Because budget concerns directly affect your every manufacturing business. Your design must be done accordingly to comply with your budget.
You must choose a specific assembly technique for your die cast parts before you start designing. Because the assembly method will heavily influence the design. Choose a suitable assembly option that meets your requirement.
But, complex parts can be divided into suitable segments and then joined together after casting by a suitable assembly method. Some of the common die casting assembly techniques include:
The Assembly of aluminum die casting parts can be relatively simple or highly complicated depending on the complexity of the parts. Conventional die casting equipment had some limitations on what type of parts can be cast. So, casting parts with intricate details was difficult before.
As a result, you should design your parts keeping in mind the aesthetic aspects. Plan in advance the type of surface finishing you want to achieve. A good finishing can provide additional protection against extreme weather conditions.
End users will always have an appeal for aesthetic-looking products. So, regardless of the performance of a part, consumers will prioritize the looks as well. Thus, external die-cast components should have a good appearance.
The appearance of an internal aluminum die casting part doesn’t hold much significance. But it is important when it is an exterior casting part such as a housing or casing.
But the customers often end up paying for quality and strength that far exceeds their needs. So, having a good idea of the using function of your parts will provide you with better insight into the die casting process .
You should clearly state the application of your parts to the die caster. He can help you choose the right material and decide proper tolerances for the design parameters based on your requirements. You should also consider properties such as corrosion resistance, strength-to-weight-ratio, conductivity, etc.
As modern computers are far more powerful than before, the accuracy attainable by die casting has remarkably increased multifold. Along with their superior structural importance, die-cast parts also serve a very good cosmetic function.
When designing a product, you need to consider its possible application. Aluminum die-cast parts can serve both structural function and cosmetic functions. So, it has become a popular alternative to others.
When designing an aluminum die-cast part , you must take into consideration its application, appearance, performance, precision, and most importantly the cost. First, you have to decide what you want to achieve in your parts and balance your requirements to comply with your budget. Here we have highlighted the major things you should be concerned with when designing a part.
Take the following considerations when calculating draft requirements for parts,
The standard tolerances of the draft for an inside surface of an aluminum cast part at different depths show below as an example.
The standard tolerances for any alloy can be calculated using the following equation.
If you want to achieve a smaller draft then precision tolerances can be used. But they will involve more precise machining and will be costlier. So, it is advised to avoid precision tolerances unless necessary.
The precision tolerances of the draft for an inside surface of an aluminum cast part at different depths show below.
Here’s is the equation for calculating the precision tolerance of a part.
Do note that the above-drawn representation of the draft is a bit exaggerated to give you a better understanding of the concept. The draft is very small in reality and often not even noticeable without careful observation.
It is critically important to design the moving and fixed die in a harmony. Inconsistency in even one of them can hamper the aluminum die casting process. While we are at it, the moving die design usually comes with more challenges.The fixed die has a relatively simpler construction. But the moving die has more components to worry about. When the material is injected into the die, the core can slide out and create an oversized condition due to the pressure exerted by the excess material.
The moving die components tolerance is a function of the Linear Tolerance and Projected Area tolerance. Here the linear tolerance is the length of the core slide and the projected area is the head of the core slide facing the molten material.
The shifting can take place along a linear direction perpendicular to the projected area. So, it is desirable to keep a minimum tolerance of zero for the moving die components.
Due to the construction of the die casting equipment, only a larger or positive tolerance is possible during the process. The standard and precision tolerances according to some variable Projected Area are shown below per NADCA guidelines.
The Parting Line is the location along which two die halves meet together to form the full product structure. The formation of the parting line is inevitable due to the way die casting is done. Because the design always consists of a minimum of two parts.
The parting line is a clear indication to distinguish between the moving half and fixed half of a die. The Parting Line Tolerance refers to the maximum amount of die separation allowed to ensure proper execution of the aluminum die casting process.
When the material pressure is trying to force the die halves apart, the material will flow out from separation created along the parting line. This is the flash defect of die casting. The cast parts require an additional trimming process to remove the flash, runner, gate, and overflow.
The parting line tolerance is a function of the Projected Area of the die, which represents the separating surface where the molten material moves from one die half to another.
A completely closed die has zero separation from each other, so the projected area tolerance always has a plus value. The extent of die separation is dependent upon the die casing pressure and the extent of clamping force applied to keep the die halves together.
The parting line tolerance can vary depending on the alloy, size, and depth of the parts. The recommended standard and precision tolerance values for die casting parting lines show below.
However, consult with your die caster if the projected area of die casting is over 300 in2 (1935.5 cm2).
Machining Allowance is the extent of stock material that can be removed from a finished aluminum die cast part. A cast part may have surface roughness and geometric deviations from the actual design to some extent. So, secondary machining is necessary after the die casting process to correct these errors.
An important matter is that the optimum mechanical properties and density of casting are at or close to the surface. So, machining allowance should be carefully determined so as not to penetrate the less dense portion.
However, a certain Machining Allowance must be specified for the machining and casting variables during the design stage. Leaving a small machining allowance may not be able to meet the surface quality requirement and risks leaving defects in the parts.
On the other hand, an unnecessarily large machining allowance for a part will increase the time, labor, and cost of production. Consulting your die casting supplier in advance will help you decide on a proper machining allowance.
Usually, make the minimum machining allowance as 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) to reduce tool wearing and minimize porosity in casting. The maximum allowance is the sum of this minimum and the casting deformation.
Here is a comparative example of the machining allowance for two different datum point locations.
However, some additional consideration is needed for flat and large parts. You can consult with your caster to assure the machining allowance values in this case.
Always try to keep a uniform wall thickness throughout the part. Because uniform thickness allows better metal flow and solidification. So, casting quality and integrity are much better.
However, if you must provide a variable wall thickness to your design, you should introduce a gradual transition in the form of a fillet/radii instead of abruptly changing the thickness. Otherwise, you will leave sharp edges in your design.
It is not desirable to have any sharp edges in product design. Because it will affect the metal flow and cause difficulty in ejection after casting. However, you can leave the edges as it is if the walls meet at the parting line.
While there are no absolute values for how thick or thin you should make the walls, it is wise to keep it within a limit. The typical wall thicknesses for aluminum die casting design can range from 0.787 in. (2.0mm) to 0.1737 in. (3.5mm). It also depends on the part’s size and structure.
But this is subject to change depending on the alloy, part configuration, part size, and application of your die casting parts. For instance, if the part size is smaller then you can cast wall sections as thin as 0.020 in. (0.50 mm).
However, there may be an exception to the maximum and minimum wall thickness for small and large aluminum die cast parts. You can consult with your die caster or Sunrise Metal if you are having trouble with it.
Thicker walls will increase the stiffness of your parts. But making them too thick will delay the cooling thus hampering the solidification process. So, this can result in poor casting quality unless taking proper measures.
Thick walls also add extra weight to your product. So, product designers with a focus on making the parts lighter will prefer thin walls. But, if making the walls thinner beyond a certain limit, the stiffness will be too low and it will be prone to warping when subjected to further machining.
The warping issue can be dealt with by machining step by step. But thin walls in a cast part lack stiffness and strength. Providing ribs will substantially improve the thin wall’s stiffness and make it more stable.
However, modern die casting technologies are advanced enough to deal with most of the critical design parameters. But you should only consider them if it will ensure better performance or economy for your parts.
Metal Savers and Pockets are two common design features for lightweight part design. These can significantly reduce the volume of material needed for producing a part without affecting the integrity and strength.
Metal savers are hollow spaces that are usually provided in the ribs to reduce the amount of material used thus making the parts lighter as well. The portion between the ribs doesn’t serve much purpose, so it can be safely removed from your design.
One should keep these following things in mind when designing a metal saver for a part.
Pockets are another weight reduction technique. Thicker sections with holes can be replaced with thin-walled sections to reduce the amount of material needed for production. However, pockets can sometimes cause irregular shrinkage.
So, you should carefully decide where to use pockets. You can strengthen the pocket features with ribs as well. Doing so will add more stiffness to it and also allow better metal flow. A reduced amount of metal will also increase the cooling rate thus boosting the production cycle.
Here are some figures showing pockets in a part with and without ribs adding to them.
Despite common belief, fillets and radii are not the same things. While both of them refer to the rounded edges of aluminum die cast part design, the rounded inside corners are called fillets and the rounded outer edges are called radii.
Fillets and Radii are extremely important features for any aluminum die-cast part design. They can significantly reduce the turbulence created during a metal injection and ensures smoother metal flow. So, the parts can attain better structural integrity.
You can design Fillet/Radii in a part according to the following guidelines.
Shrinkage is a very common and unavoidable phenomenon in aluminum die casting. Any metal alloy will undergo some extent of shrinkage when the molten metal starts to cool down and solidify. So, the designer must make the necessary adjustments for the product design to allow room for shrinkage.
Thicker sections are prone to shrinkage and cause internal pores to form. Local overheating also cause shrinkage to take place which in turn results in porosity. Such spots need to be locally cooled by improvising the die design. But it may increase the casting cycle time.
The designer should abide by the following design considerations to reduce shrinkage in aluminum die cast parts.
Bosses are necessary for parts that will be mounted elsewhere. They function as stand-offs and mounting points. But improper design and positioning of bosses can lead to manufacturing difficulties which will in turn increase the cost.
Bosses can also increase the material requirement and increase the weight of the aluminum casting. Bosses can be redesigned in the following manner for obtaining lighter parts.
Here are some design considerations you should adopt for bosses in a part design.
Here is a video with a short description of bosses explaining its purpose and design process in a die casting.
Ribs are incorporated in a design to increase the stiffness thus add strength to aluminum die casting. So, ribs can assist in producing sound castings. They are mostly paired along with other weaker sections such as thin walls, to impart additional strength to them.
It can often provide more strength than a thicker solid section, as thicker sections tend to have more porosity in them which reduces their structural capacity. However, overusing ribs can cause stress concentration at the edge of the ribs.
Ribs are often designed with hollow sections known as metal savers. They are a method to reduce the material usage in ribs and reduce the weight of the part.
The recommended rib dimensions for some common scenarios show in the following diagrams along with some conditions where ribs should not be used.
Holes located too close to the edges of an aluminum casting will result in a weaker section. You should maintain a minimum spacing between the hole and edge to avoid excessive stress concentration in that zone. So a proper hole to edge space should be determined based diameter of the hole. A minimum clear distance should be maintained for two adjacent holes as well. Take it into account the diameter of both holes and their stress concentration zone.
Enough spacing is to avoid weak sections. You can also consider the second operation for holes if no sufficient hole to edge space.
As far as design difficulty is concerned, holes and windows are usually the least of your worries. However, even the simplest of the features in the aluminum die casting part must be designed with proper attention to the details. You must ensure manufacturability when designing.
The most common application of Holes and Windows are different electronic device casings such as laptops, calculators, etc. These devices need to place close a lot of holes. Such a pattern causes problems for the metal flow.
You can have a better visualization of this problem from this video.
Holes and windows can also make it difficult to eject the casting. Because the solidification shrinkage of the part will cause the casting to grip onto the die. You can deal with these issues by following these tips when designing holes and windows.
Any Holes and undercuts in the design parallel to the parting line can greatly increase the complexity of aluminum die casting or even make it impossible to cast by conventional means. Side Cores/ Slides makes it possible to easily manufacture parts consisting of holes and undercuts.
Cores are used to form holes in a part and slides are used when there is an undercut present in the design. However, they add a significant cost to die construction. The impact on the casting cycle of parts due to separate pulling out of the cores and slides other than the main die half.
The slides used within a die can also cause a parting line shift. It is caused due to the force applied by mechanical locks that hold the slide in place during casting. It is more common in the case of the unit dies.
Designers should try to align such geometric features parallel to the die pull out direction or redesign the parts to eliminate the need for cores/slides. Below is an example showing how a part is redesigned to eliminate the need for a side core.
But, there will be cases where you must introduce a core/slide to cast a feature without having to machine it later. You can design Core slides or pulls in such a manner that can eliminate the need for most if not all of the secondary machining operation.
So, the difficulties posed by initial increased tooling cost and slower casting cycle is offset by the reduced secondary machining operations. The repeatability for parts is also greatly extended this way.
Side core pulling and slide movements are usually powered by angle pins or hydraulic cylinders. The angle pin is a mechanical mean for the core/slide movement. The opening and closing sequence of the main die can activate it.
So, an additional power source is not necessary for angle pins to function. It is also economical to produce. However, angle pins can interfere with the casting removal, only suitable for a short slide.
It is also difficult to use angle pins for the top slide and is only possible using springs. Use hydraulic methods can resolve these issues. You can define a cycle of your choice, and make use of top slides with it. It doesn’t interfere with the casting retrieval as well.
There are other methods of motion available as well that can be used for the core/slide. Designers have to choose the right one by analyzing budget, production volume, size of parts, length of core/slide travel into the casting, etc.
You can discuss it with your die caster for getting proper suggestions about designing a side core pulling/ slide mechanism. You are welcome to consult Sunrise Metal as well, we will be glad to assist you.
When we are talking about thread forming, we will be mostly talking about casting external threads. While it is theoretically possible to cast internal threads, they are not desirable due to the complexity and cost of manufacturing.
External threads can be easily manufactured with a regular aluminum die casting setup with proper alignment with the parting line or with a simple slider mechanism. Internal threads will require a mechanism to rotate the core in the die.
This increases the cost of tooling and parts. Internal threads are usually tapped as a secondary operation for speed and economy of production. This removes the need to remove cutting chips from the hole.
Threads can be easily formed with aluminum die casting equipment. Cast threads are usually limited to external threads where precision class fits are not required.
If you must have a precision class fit for your parts, you can always consult with your die caster. Secondary machining may be required for achieving better precision. Also, the major diameter should be following the specified thread form definition as agreed upon by both parties.
The maximum and minimum tolerances for some ideal thread forming operation are showing below:
However, do keep the following things in mind when casting threads.
Here are some figures showing the recommended external thread configuration.
Insert is a piece of solid material set in the die that becomes integrated into the aluminum die casting. It is necessitated when the selected alloy cannot meet a requirement and the design requires the integration of components made from other materials.
There are professional systems available to make use of inserts in aluminum die casting. It exists inside the die cavity and the molten aluminum flows and surrounds the insert to complete the die casting.
You may need to incorporate threaded inserts in your design when you face the following situations:
Insert die casting is costlier than regular casting and the complexity of insert setup will affect the cost of production.
Undercut usually refers to a recessed geometric feature or surface of a part that is not accessible with a straight cutting tool. In the case of die casting, undercuts are features that restrict ejecting the casting with a single pull mechanism.
So, when you are designing a part, you must consider the difficulties that may arise during tooling and casting. Sometimes you can negate the effect of undercut by cleverly choosing an orientation for aluminum die casting. But most of the time it will be impossible without introducing side cores.
Adding side cores in your design will complicate both the die construction and the casting process. The mechanism is more complex thus costlier and the setup will take more time than conventional aluminum die casting.
Here are some important things you should keep in mind when designing undercuts.
However, it would be best to avoid any sort of undercuts in your design if possible.
Slot is an elongated hole that is may or may not have a round edge at the ends. It mainly exits in flat, rectangular aluminum parts. It will usually have a limited length. Slot is always through meaning that it will fully penetrate the part.
Slots can have different types such as length bilaterally limited, length unilaterally limited, or semicircular elongated slot depending on their length and shape.
Grooves can consist of different shapes and sizes such as T-slot, Dovetail, Rectangular, Flat-bottom, V-shaped, Radius, etc. It is usually cut along the edges and works as a feature for mounting components made of other materials.
Slots and grooves in a design act as a clamping element for other components. It also provides an opening to pass through other components such as switches, levers, etc.
When designing slots and grooves the following tips can be useful.
The solidified aluminum casting tends to clamp into the die due to the solidification shrinkage. So, additional force is applied from within the die through some ejector components to ensure removal of the casting.
The ejector mechanism of die casting equipment can comprise multiple components. A die casting mold mainly consists of two parts namely the cover die half and ejector die half. The ejector die houses the ejector mechanism.
The parting line acts as the separation point of the two die halves. The ejector die comes apart relative to the parting line after finishing casting. However, there is more complex equipment with multiple die setups which makes the ejection system more complex.
We will only be discussing a convention two-part die as this is more common and economical. In this case, the ejector half of the die contains the ejector pins, ejector plate, inserts, runners, and any sort of engraving present in the design.
The ejection mechanism mainly depends on two components of the die: Ejector Pins & Ejector Plate.
Ejector pins push out the solidified casting from the die. Another function of the ejector pin is to clamp the casting so that it doesn’t bend due to the stress concentrated during solidification. But, a downside is that they leave a mark in the casting.
So, the designer should select the location and size of ejector pins carefully considering the size, configuration, and some other aspects of the casting. You should follow these guidelines when designing the ejector pins.
Proper toolmaking practices can reduce the marks left by ejectors to a great extent. However, they will still be visible. The OEM and die caster should come to a mutual agreement upon where the pins can be provided.
Also, note that ejector pins will also form a flash around it. It is normally left alone unless the customer reject it. The pin flashes can be crushed, flattened to minimize their footprint.
Ejector plates can function either as a complementary part for the ejector pins or function on their own. Usually, die caster use ejector plates as a mounting surface for the ejector pins. As pressure is only applied on the ejector plate, it simultaneously pushes the ejector pins forward and the casting is retrieved.
Ejector plates may also function alone without any ejector pins. However, we usually see it in miniature die casting only. The part is ejected by the force exerted by the plate. This is better in the sense that ejector plates don’t leave any marks on the casting like ejector pins.
Sharp edges are not welcome in aluminum die casting parts design. They create hot spots in the casting where stress concentration occurs due to the solidification shrinkage. It makes the corners prone to defects. It is also difficult to apply coatings on sharp edges.
So, designers tend to round all the sharp corners even with the minimum radius possible. Apply fillet, radii, or chamfers to all internal and external sharp corners. Here are some sharp corner designs that designers could redesign in the following manner.
Another problem with internal sharp edges is that they significantly increase the tooling cost. As you know that machining is pretty expensive, and the cost will substantially increase for higher precision requirements.
A perfectly sharp edge means that it will have zero-tolerance. While it is achievable for external edges, achieving such precision in internal edges is nearly impossible. Internal edges will always have a minimum radius even if using the most precise tool .
However, you can safely apply sharp edges along the parting line to ensure that the two die halves are perfectly closed. Other than that, keep sharp edges to a minimum.
The pressure tightness is a measure of the integrity of aluminum die casting that indicates its ability to withstand a certain degree of fluid pressure. The purchaser may require the castings to have a specified pressure tightness in some cases.
Pressure tightness heavily depends on its density and porosity. Even a small amount of porosity can affect a part’s pressure tightness and leaks may form during application. Multiple factors may affect the density and porosity of aluminum casting.
Entrapped air inside the aluminum die casting mold is a major concern for any manufacturer. When molten metal is injected under high pressure, the resistance formed by the entrapped air creates porosity. The gas pores present in the castings also reduce their density thus reducing the structural integrity.
There are so many factors involved that induce porosity is what makes it quite impossible to make a casting completely pore-free. Effective DFM and good quality control during the whole process will obtain proper density and minimal porosity.
The designer should consider the following design parameters for obtaining the optimum pressure tightness for the aluminum die casting.
The secondary machining operations can also affect the pressure tightness of aluminum castings. You should adopt the following guidelines for machining.
Aside from the above considerations, the alloy selection also plays an important part in ensuring the pressure tightness of the aluminum castings. Certain alloys will give better results when aiming for pressure tightness of aluminum parts.
Using various inspection equipment can test the pressure tightness of aluminum parts. Usually, doing the testing of pressure tightness in the range of 5 to 40 psi pressure. If requiring higher pressure tightness, the designer should discuss it with the die caster.
The strength requirement for your aluminum parts will have a significant impact on the overall production cost and time. So, you could discuss clearly the part’s strength requirement with the die caster to select a viable aluminum die casting design approach.
The strength of aluminum die casting parts depends on many factors. Below we have provided some tips regarding ensuring the strength of die casting parts.
Following these guidelines can help you increase the die casting part’s strength. However, there are many more minor things you need to consider. Discuss with your die caster for suggestions regarding increasing the part strength.
Tiny features require more sophisticated cutting tools to machine. The time, cost, and difficulty of tooling are much greater for tiny features. Features with standard tolerances can be achieved at a relatively low cost and are precise enough for any regular consumer.
However, you might need precision tolerances for your parts if they have a very sophisticated application. But precision machining beyond a certain limit is known as micromachining and it will not be achievable with standard machining tools.
Micro-machining deals with machining features with tolerances way less than a millimeter. It has a surprisingly higher cost compared to any standard machining operations. The designer must avoid such a level of precision in their design unless it’s really necessary.
Premature defects taking place in the die will add considerable repair costs. So, keep tiny features to a minimum to reduce the tooling cost.
Most of the aluminum die casting parts will have some sort of lettering or ornamentation to it. It can be letters, logos, trademarks, date code, or production number that allows convenient supply line tracking, branding, and many other purposes.
Die casting lettering or ornamentations may be implemented in a part in three ways.
The most economical out of these three methods is keeping the lettering as a raised feature. A raised feature in the aluminum casting will require a depressing feature for the die.
Such a feature is easy to construct in a die and causes minimal wear during operation. Construction cost and maintenance cost over the lifetime of a die is less for raised (depressed in the die) lettering is less.
On contrary, depressed lettering in an aluminum casting requires raised features that protrude into die steel. It is a bit more complex to construct and requires more maintenance.
However, if the designer wishes to keep a leveled surface then doing the lettering as a raised feature inside a depressed panel. This is much more practical as you can apply depressed features without worrying about damaging the die.
Using a coating later can fill the additional depressed portion. So, avoid directly depressed features in your parts.
Following these guidelines should be helpful for most of the cases. If you have any other requirements then you can always consult with your die caster or Sunrise Metal for proper suggestions.
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