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F
R E E !
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What do Dovre,
Fontaine International, and The Wrotham Group
all have in common? Their buyers come to CastingTrade.com
to find the most qualified suppliers of cast metal parts.
View our Active Buyers List
for April, 2001.
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Don't
Miss Out!
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DIECASTING
AND E-COMMERCE
"Diecasters are intent on figuring out how
to use the potential of evolving Internet technology to generate
new profits. To them, the Internet is just another high-powered
tool -- like a diecasting machine or a shotblasting machine
-- to enable them to realize better margins. . . . As we set
out to use e-commerce as effectively as possible in our diecasting
businesses, we will expect it to pay its own way, and perhaps
to provide some other benefit than just speed."
From "A Catalyst Role for an E-Marketplace
in the Diecasting Industry" in the upcoming April, 2001, edition
of LINKS, the membership publication of the North American
Die Casting Association (NADCA). (More information on LINKS
at www.diecasting.org.)
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F.
A. Q. Text
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What is diecasting?
In a process analogous to plastic injection molding, semi-molten
metal is forced into a metal form (the "die") under pressure. |
What are some of the
key characteristics of diecasting?
Diecasting lends itself to long runs: there is a large initial
fixed cost in producing the die, but afterwards variable costs
per unit are very low. Understandably, one of the largest markets
for diecast parts is auto components. A basic constraint of
diecasting is that it is only for non-ferrous metals, because
melting points need to be below a certain maximum. Consequently,
diecasting is heavily associated with aluminum. |
What makes diecasting
a desirable process?
As indicated above, diecasting is extremely economical, provided
production runs are long enough to offset the cost of tooling.
Moreover, a high level of articulation, with very thin sections
and close tolerances achievable. In addition, high surface finish
quality can be achieved without carrying out post-finishing
steps. |
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What are some of the
potential drawbacks of diecasting?
Once again, the high tooling cost is a key factor. The extremely
strong die steels used are expensive to machine. Also, because
of the high stresses of the diecasting process, tools are
subject to damage, and, as a practical matter, diecasters
need to prepare a spare tool in advance of production, thus
compounding tooling expense.
There are two other important limitations
on diecasting. As mentioned above, it can only be used with
non-ferrous metals (due to melting point limits). In addition,
there are practical limits on the maximum size of parts achievable
using diecasting.
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