Use the tables below to help you evaluate the costs of your casting
application.
Process
(click below for more info) |
Description |
Size Range |
Metals |
Tolerances |
Tooling Cost & Leadtime |
Minimum Section Thickness |
Minimum Draft Required |
Surface Finish |
Ordering Quantity |
Graphite Mold
|
Precision
molds are graphite. Metal is injected into the mold.
Molds open & castings ejected. Similar to permanent
Mold except no ceramic wash is needed. |
Ounces to 10
pounds |
ZA - 12 (zinc
alloy) |
1st inch: +/-
.005". Additional inches: +/- .002". Across parting
line: +/-.005" |
$2,000 -
$5,500
4-8 weeks |
.100" (Can
vary to .060" in areas) |
2 degrees |
125 RMS or
better |
Usually 300
and up |
Investment (lost wax)
|
Metal mold
makes wax replicas. These are joined, surrounded by
investment material, baked out & metal poured in
cavity. Mold is broken to remove casting. |
Ounces to 150
pounds |
Most all
castable metals |
+/-.003" to
1/4", +/-.004" to 1/2" +/-.005" to 3" then add
+/-.003". |
$3,000-$10,000
10-12 weeks |
.60" |
None |
69 to 125 RMS |
Aluminum
under 1000 Others: All Quantities |
Die Casting
|
Molten metal
is injected under high pressure into hardened steel
dies, often water cooled. Solidified part is ejected
from open mold. |
Ounces to 15
pounds |
Aluminum,
zinc, brass, & magnesium |
+/-.002"/inch. Add +/-.015" across parting line. |
$5,000-
$100,000
12-22 weeks |
.030" to
.060" |
1 to 3
degrees |
32 to 63 RMS |
Usually 2500
and up |
Plaster Mold
|
Plaster
slurry is poured onto pattern halves, allowed to
set, removed, baked and then assembled. Metal is
poured in and once cooled, broken to remove parts. |
Ounces to 50
pounds |
Aluminum,
zinc, brass, copper and bronze |
+/-.005 to
2", then add +/- .002"/inch. Add +/-.010" across
parting line. |
$2,000-$5,000
6-10 weeks |
.070" |
1/2 to 3
degrees |
63 to 125 RMS |
1-250 |
Sand Casting
|
Sand is
packed around a wood or metal pattern. Mold halves
are opened to remove pattern. Metal is poured in and
mold is broken to remove cooled part. |
Ounces to
tons |
Most all
castable metals |
+/- 1/32" to
6" then add +/-.003" /inch. Add +/-.020" -.090"
across parting line. |
$1,000-$4,000
2-6 weeks |
1/8" |
1to 5 degrees |
200 to 550 RMS |
All |
Permanent
Mold
|
Molten metal is poured
into a ceramic coated metal mold. Mold is opened and cooled
casting is ejected. |
Ounces to 100 pounds |
Aluminum, zinc, brass,
bronze, lead & gray iron |
+/-.015" to 1", then add
+/-.002"/inch. Add +/- .010" to .030" across parting line. |
$5,000 - $15,000
8-12
weeks |
1/8" - 3/16" |
2 to 4 degrees |
150 to 300 RMS |
500 and up |