Casting Guides
Practical notes for engineers and buyers sourcing cast parts — processes, alloys and tooling.
What is die castingDie casting forces molten metal into a steel die under high pressure. How the process works, hot-chamber vs cold-chamber machines, pros and cons, and design rules of thumb.Investment vs die vs sand castingCompare investment casting, die casting and sand casting on materials, tooling cost, quantity, accuracy and surface finish — with a simple guide to choosing the right process for your part.Die casting alloysCompare common die casting alloys — A380, A383, ADC12, A360 and Zamak 3 / Zamak 5: composition, typical properties, equivalents across standards and how to choose.Die casting toolingWhat determines die casting tooling cost — part size, cavities, slides, complexity, tool steel — plus die life, ownership and maintenance terms to agree before ordering.Investment casting processHow investment (lost-wax) casting works step by step, its advantages and limitations, common stainless and steel grades, and how it compares with die casting.