Aluminum Brackets Hardware for Your Home Needs. A bracket is basically an L-shaped fixed edifice that is used for connecting a vertical surface to a horizontal surface. Before, most brackets were made of steel. This was however, impractical, because steel …
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Category Archives: Tooling Die Casting
How Trim Dies Save Money on Die Casting Parts
How Can Trim Dies Save Me Money on Die Casting Parts? – Is a question, I get asked frequently from potential customers and current customers.
I will discuss what a die casting part trim die is and what it does, but first we need to know a little about how die casting parts are made. The Die Casting Trim Die is part of the die casting part tooling package.
- Die Casting is a manufacturing process where a company melts metal, typically aluminum or zinc, and then injects that metal into a die or mold using extreme pressure.
The molten metal is under so much pressure that the metal “flashes” out around the edges of the part inside the die casting mold. This excess metal is also called “flash”. This flash is typically very thin, sometimes paper thin, wall of metal. The flash is frequently sharp and can cut fingers if not handled carefully. After the part cools sufficiently, the flash must be removed before we can ship the die cast part to our customer.
- The most common ways to remove flash are:
- Using a file or sander – Somewhat labor intensive and subject to “artistic interpretation” from the worker. Not always consistent in the process.
- Using a trim die – A trim die cuts consistently .005″ to .010″ close to edge of the die casting part like a cookie cutter. Is also the fastest way to remove flash.
The trim die is in two parts and each half is bolted on either the upper or lower platen of a trim press. The trim press has typically 15 to 20 tons of closing pressure. The press raises and lowers as the worker actuates the buttons. The die casting part fits perfectly in the trim die bottom, the trim die top half closes on the part and uses a cutting edge to cut the excess metal (flash) away from the part.
Because the trim die cuts the flash from the part accurately and consistently, the part quality is always better when a trim die is used to remove the a flash. So, less money is wasted on poor part quality. The trim press also operates faster than the die casting machine so the flash removal takes less time and labor, thus saving money in part production.
Each of our die casting production cells at Kinetic Die Casting Company has at least one trim press to accommodate a trim die for every die casting production part order. Every customer who owns a trim die, saves money on their part price. Call us today for a FREE competitive part price proposal to make your parts 818-982-9200.
Unit Dies for Die Casting Tooling
Unit Die Tooling is an inexpensive way to make Die Casting Parts. There are several reasons why unit dies are less expensive, we will start with the cost of new die casting tooling.
New Tooling – Class A Tool
To make die castings we need to make tooling first. A complete class A Tool usually consists of a set of cavity inserts weighing about 30 pounds and a mold base that weighs about 1500 pounds. This mold base usually costs about $8,000 to $12,000 in steel and labor. A complete class A die can cost more than $100,000.
New Tooling – Unit Die Tool
A unit die consists of a set of cavity inserts weighing about 30 pounds, a unit die weighing about 150 pounds and a master unit die holder weighing about 1200 pounds. The master unit die holder stays in the die casting machine. One master holder can work with hundreds of unit die holders. The typical tool cost for a unit die is usually less than $40,000.
Part Cost – Class A Tool
Since a Class A Tool in larger than a unit die, it takes a four to eight hours to set the tool in a die casting machine. Since it is also heavier it takes one to two hours to preheat the tool to optimum operating temperature.
Part Cost – Unit Die Tool
A unit die can be set in a die casting machine in less than two hours. The preheat time for a unit die tool is less than an hour.
Kinetic Die Casting Company has dozens of unit dies waiting for cavities to install. We purchased 10 pallets of unit dies during the Drumheller Industries Die Casting Auction. WE will be happy to mount your cavity in our holder to save you time and money on your next production run.
Comparison of Die Casting Tooling Types
Die Casting Tooling Types – Kinetic Die Casting Company produces die casting tooling for may types of die casting products.
- Die Casting Inserts
- Die Casting Mold Bases
- Unit Die – Die Casting Tooling
- Complete Die Casting Tooling
- Die Casting Trim Die Tooling
Die Casting Inserts –
Typically the least expensive tool to buy to get die casting parts. The cost of an insert starts at about $6000 and could range upward to over $20,000. The inserts can weigh as little as 30 – 40 pounds or more than 100 pounds. And typically the die casting inserts are only 4″-6″ larger than the part that needs to be produced.
Die Casting Inserts need to be mounted into a Die Casting Mold Base. If the die casting part needs a slide or slides. The mold base could be more costly.
Die Casting Mold Bases –
The Die Casting Insert Tool is mounted into a mold base to make die casting parts. The mold base is very large (usually over 15 inches), heavy (usually over 1500 pounds) and expensive (usually over $4,000). The mold base is necessary to control the temperature and pressures in die casting. The mold base has a hole to allow the metal to be injected into the tool. The mold base has special clamping slots so it can be mounted into the die casting machine.
Unit Die – Die Casting Tools –
A special die casting tool that is used to reduce the cost from a complete die casting tool and more efficient than die casting insets is the unit die tool, sometimes called a DME unit die. The unit die tool is easier and faster to change out in a die casting machine. Sometimes as little as half an hour verses sometimes four hours as a complete tool, or six hours as a die casting insert. It requires that the die casting company have a master DME unit holder mounted in a die casting machine. The unit dies are universal in the die casting industry and can be moved from one die casting company to another easier, similar to complete tooling, than die casting inserts. Unit dies are produced in three sizes, depending on the size of the part to be produced. 10×12 (pronounced ten by twelve), 12×15 (pronounced twelve by 15), and 15×18 (pronounced fifteen by eighteen)
Complete Die Casting Tooling –
The best quality tool. The most expensive tool. The tool that is the easiest to move from one die casting company to another. This tool is the complete package, cavity inserts and mold base. It mounts directly into the die casting machine. It controls the temperature and pressure much better than it’s counterparts.
Die Casting Trim Dies –
A die casting trim die cuts the excess material around the die casting part (flash). The die casting trim die mounts in a hydraulic press and saves time and produces a better part than sanding parts.
See our Website:
http://www.kineticdiecasting.com/tooling.html
http://www.kineticdiecasting.com/tooling_die_casting.html
Whether, you need die casting parts produced in aluminum or in zinc, contact Kinetic Die Casting Company to purchase your parts or die casting tooling.
Posted in Tooling Die Casting
Tagged Die Cast Mold, die casting tooling, Mold Base, Molds, Tooling Die Casting, Tooling Inserts
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Unit Die Tooling
Kinetic Die Casting also makes Die Casting Unit Die Tooling.
Unit die tooling is usually larger than die cast tooling inserts and usually smaller than a complete mold. Unit die tooling uses less steel than a complete mold, but more steel than a die casting insert. Unit die tooling requires a master unit holder that sits in the die casting machine. Kinetic Die Casting has “master unit holders” in several diverse sizes to accommodate different sized unit dies.
Unit dies will set into a die casting machine faster and more easily than any other form of tooling. Die casting part size and weight are the biggest boundaries to whether a unit die tool is appropriate for your die cast part.
If you have unit die tooling, deliver it to us because we can manufacture aluminum die cast parts with your unit die tooling. Kinetic Die Casting has master holders in many sizes.
For more information, contact our web site and ask about Die Casting Unit Die Tooling.
To get a price for aluminum die casting parts or die casting tooling, call toll free 800-524-8083 and ask for sales. Or email us at sales@kineticdc.com for a fast response on a price quote.
Kinetic Die Casting makes great quality aluminum, and Zinc Die Casting If looking for a job or would like a quote please visit our website:Kinetic Die Casting Company
Complete Class “A” Die Casting Die or Mold Tooling
Complete Class “A” Die Casting Die or Mold Tooling
Complete die cast tooling is the easiest method to get more than 100,000 parts from the life of the mold or die cast die tool. Complete die cast tooling will fit directly into a die casting machine without the need for a separate mold base, die or insert holder, or master holder. It takes more time than unit die tooling to set this type of die into a die casting machine, but this type of die will generally produce better quality parts and get more die life.
Complete die cast die or die cast molds will also more likely have waterlines to speed up the cycle time of production, saving the customer’s money.
Complete dies will frequently include a trim die that will speed up the production process and save as much as 15% on the part price.
Complete die cast dies are also easier to preserve and store than other forms of die cast tooling.
Finally, a complete die cast tooling package is directly transferable to another die casting company, frequently without any expensive tooling modifications.
When you send us your total die cast tooling, we will maintain that tooling to a high standard. You will receive as many parts as possible from that tool.
To get a price for aluminum die casting parts or die casting tooling, call toll free 800-524-8083 and ask for sales. Or email us at sales@kineticdc.com for a fast response on a price quote.
Kinetic Die Casting manufactures aluminum military parts, aluminum hardware, and aluminum die castings. Visit our website for a quote: Kinetic Die Casting Company
