PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
ONE-STOP SHOPPING
ALUMINIUM DIE CASTING SRL
Die casting is just the beginning
Die casting processes can often deliver
products that can be used “as cast”, i.e.
no additional manufacturing activities are
required, and the parts are immediately
ready for use. Nonetheless, there are
situations where supplementary treatments
are necessary to optimise the casting’s
performance and capabilities. In these
instances, opting for a ‘one-stop-shop’
supplier that performs both die casting and
post-cast operations is the most efficient
and reliable solution.
Pierluigi Buffagnotti, Production Manager at
Aluminium Die Casting, looks at the benefits
of relying on full-service, die cast-to-finish
suppliers.
To remain competitive in a continuously
evolving market, manufacturers need to
continuously push themselves to maintain
short lead times. Die casting, with its ability
to create near net shaped parts of any form
and size with high accuracy, can support
industries with a manufacturing process
that is extremely fast and economical,
particularly for high-volume production.
Despite the good quality of as-cast parts,
certain applications may require extended
service lives, electrically conductive
properties, aesthetically pleasing
appearances or other characteristics.
When die castings need to exhibit any of
these particular features, manufacturers
can continue their efforts to keep short
lead times by choosing one-stop-shop
die casters that can also perform these
additional operations.
As the need for subcontractors is drastically
reduced, logistics and management costs
are also slashed. This further streamlines
industrial operations whilst reducing any
risks associated with managing a process
through multiple vendors.
KNOW YOUR FINISHING NEEDS
When selecting a single point of contact
for die casting and post-cast operations,
it is important to know what the end
product surface should look like. There
is a broad range of tools, techniques and
machines offering very different aesthetic
or functional properties to die casts.
For example, there are several smoothing
and polishing methods, such as sanding,
vibratory finishing or ball burnishing. While
these all perform the same tasks, they
greatly differ in the processes used and the
end results.
In addition to surface finishing treatments,
machining and mechanical processing are
also extremely useful post-cast methods,
as they can offer threading, turning, boring
as well as special mechanical polishing
and sanding treatments. Amidst the
different metalworking lathes available
to perform these operations, computer
numerical control (CNC) machines are
among the most advantageous. As they
offer high repeatability and accuracy, they
can maintain the high-quality levels built
into die castings, ensuring superior end
products.
Supplementary treatments
may be necessary to optimise
the casting’s performance and
capabilities. Therefore opting for
a ‘one-stop-shop’ supplier that
performs both die casting and
post-cast operations is the most
efficient and reliable solution.
88 PECM Issue 46