Die casting is a manufacturing process that is much economical and efficient in producing a wide range of components and shapes when compared to many other processes. One of the biggest advantages of die casting when compared to other manufacturing processes is that it offers a basic part with many add-ons that can eliminate the need for machining and assembly, in turn helping to cut down the production costs, and thereby save money. However, for die casting to be economical, the parts requirement needs to be high.
The production volume should be high to adjust the initial tooling cost of the process. Some of the main advantages of die casting when compared to the other manufacturing process are listed below.
- Die casting process offer complex shapes with very close tolerances when compared to many other processes that offer mass production.
- High production rates with very little or no machining requirements.
- Die casting can be used to make components with thinner walls with good strength when compared to other manufacturing processes like plastic injection molding.
- Can be used to manufacture identical castings within a specified tolerance range before requiring any additional tooling.
- Zinc die castings can be finished or plated very easily without much surface preparation.
- Die cast components and parts are smoother when compared to parts made by other casting techniques like permanent mold, investment casting, and sand casting.
- Holes in components can be cored easily to tap drill sizes.
- External threads on the die cast parts can be cast readily.
- Easy to cast in place inserts of other metals and non-metals.
- The corrosion resistance of die cast alloys is very high.
Die casting is a monolithic process and can combine numerous functions in a single complex shaped part. As die casting parts do not involve separate parts that are fastened or welded together, the strength of the part will be equal to that of the material used and not of the welds or the threads.
These are some of the important advantages of die casting when compared to the other manufacturing processes. When used to the maximum potential, it can be used to replace assemblies of many different parts produced by a variety of manufacturing processes to have considerable savings in both production costs and labor.