中文

ENGLISH

 
News
Mold or tooling
Release time:2020-04-01

Two dies are used in die casting; one is called the "cover die half" and the other the "ejector die half". Where they meet is called the parting line. The cover die contains the sprue (for hot-chamber machines) or shot hole (for cold-chamber machines), which allows the molten metal to flow into the dies; this feature matches up with the injector nozzle on the hot-chamber machines or the shot chamber in the cold-chamber machines. The ejector die contains the ejector pins and usually the runner, which is the path from the sprue or shot hole to the mold cavity. The cover die is secured to the stationary, or front, platen of the casting machine, while the ejector die is attached to the movable platen. The mold cavity is cut into two cavity inserts, which are separate pieces that can be replaced relatively easily and bolt into the die halves.[16]

The dies are designed so that the finished casting will slide off the cover half of the die and stay in the ejector half as the dies are opened. This assures that the casting will be ejected every cycle because the ejector half contains the ejector pins to push the casting out of that die half. The ejector pins are driven by an ejector pin plate, which accurately drives all of the pins at the same time and with the same force, so that the casting is not damaged. The ejector pin plate also retracts the pins after ejecting the casting to prepare for the next shot. There must be enough ejector pins to keep the overall force on each pin low, because the casting is still hot and can be damaged by excessive force. The pins still leave a mark, so they must be located in places where these marks will not hamper the casting's purpose.[16]

Other die components include cores and slides. Cores are components that usually produce holes or opening, but they can be used to create other details as well. There are three types of cores: fixed, movable, and loose. Fixed cores are ones that are oriented parallel to the pull direction of the dies (i.e. the direction the dies open), therefore they are fixed, or permanently attached to the die. Movable cores are ones that are oriented in any other way than parallel to the pull direction. These cores must be removed from the die cavity after the shot solidifies, but before the dies open, using a separate mechanism. Slides are similar to movable cores, except they are used to form undercut surfaces. The use of movable cores and slides greatly increases the cost of the dies.[16] Loose cores, also called pick-outs, are used to cast intricate features, such as threaded holes. These loose cores are inserted into the die by hand before each cycle and then ejected with the part at the end of the cycle. The core then must be removed by hand. Loose cores are the most expensive type of core, because of the extra labor and increased cycle time.[10] Other features in the dies include water-cooling passages and vents along the parting lines. These vents are usually wide and thin (approximately 0.13 mm or 0.005 in) so that when the molten metal starts filling them the metal quickly solidifies and minimizes scrap. No risers are used because the high pressure ensures a continuous feed of metal from the gate.[17]

The most important material properties for the dies are thermal shock resistance and softening at elevated temperature; other important properties include hardenability, machinability, heat checking resistance, weldability, availability (especially for larger dies), and cost. The longevity of a die is directly dependent on the temperature of the molten metal and the cycle time.[16] The dies used in die casting are usually made out of hardened tool steels, because cast iron cannot withstand the high pressures involved, therefore the dies are very expensive, resulting in high start-up costs.[17] Metals that are cast at higher temperatures require dies made from higher alloy steels.[18]

Die and component material and hardness for various cast metals
Die component Cast metal
Tin, lead & zinc Aluminium & magnesium Copper & brass
Material Hardness Material Hardness Material Hardness
Cavity inserts P20[note 1] 290–330 HB H13 42–48 HRC DIN 1.2367 38–44 HRC
H11 46–50 HRC H11 42–48 HRC H20, H21, H22 44–48 HRC
H13 46–50 HRC        
Cores H13 46–52 HRC H13 44–48 HRC DIN 1.2367 40–46 HRC
    DIN 1.2367 42–48 HRC    
Core pins H13 48–52 HRC DIN 1.2367 prehard 37–40 HRC DIN 1.2367 prehard 37–40 HRC
Sprue parts H13 48–52 HRC H13
DIN 1.2367
46–48 HRC
44–46 HRC
DIN 1.2367 42–46 HRC
Nozzle 420 40–44 HRC H13 42–48 HRC DIN 1.2367
H13
40–44 HRC
42–48 HRC
Ejector pins H13[note 2] 46–50 HRC H13[note 2] 46–50 HRC H13[note 2] 46–50 HRC
Plunger shot sleeve H13[note 2] 46–50 HRC H13[note 2]
DIN 1.2367[note 2]
42–48 HRC
42–48 HRC
DIN 1.2367[note 2]
H13[note 2]
42–46 HRC
42–46 HRC
Holder block 4140 prehard ~300 HB 4140 prehard ~300 HB 4140 prehard ~300 HB

The main failure mode for die casting dies is wear or erosion. Other failure modes are heat checking and thermal fatigue. Heat checking is when surface cracks occur on the die due to a large temperature change on every cycle. Thermal fatigue is when surface cracks occur on the die due to a large number of cycles.[19]

Typical die temperatures and life for various cast materials[20]
  Zinc Aluminium Magnesium Brass (leaded yellow)
Maximum die life [number of cycles] 1,000,000 100,000 100,000 10,000
Die temperature [C° (F°)] 218 (425) 288 (550) 260 (500) 500 (950)
Casting temperature [C° (F°)] 400 (760) 660 (1220) 760 (1400) 1090 (2000) 

Previous:Equipment for Die Casting
Next: High-pressure die casting

About Us

Our Service

Why Choose Us

Get a quote

Contact Us