Gravity Die Casting Process

Gravity die casting is a permanent mould casting process that produces very high quality surface finishes with thin walls and cast-in inserts so intricate shapes can be cast rapidly and little subsequent machining is required. Ideally suited to producing medium-run components from aluminium and other non-ferrous alloys for applications across a wide range of industries.

Gravity Die Casting Process

A metal die is manufactured, usually in 2 parts, to form a mould.

The mould is heated and a lubricant is sprayed into it to assist in controlling temperature and in removal of the casting.

Molten metal is poured into the mould.

Once solidified, the die is opened and the casting removed either by hand or with the use of pins in automated processes.

Excess material including the gate, runners, sprues and flash can be removed using a trim die in a power press or by hand.

Scrap metal is then re-used in the production cycle by re-melting.

Gravity die casting delivers many benefits including:

Excellent dimensional accuracy

Smooth cast surfaces

Secondary machining is reduced or eliminated

Production rates can be rapid making longer production runs possible

Tensile strength is higher than with sand casting

Thinner walls can be cast allowing intricate shapes

Inserts, such as threads, heating elements and high-strength surfaces can be cast-in

There are some disadvantages to this process including:

The initial tooling cost will be higher than for sand casting

Longer production runs help to keep unit costs down and make gravity die casting competitive with other processes