| Process |
Precision Sand Castings |
Green Sand Castings |
No-Bake Sand Castings |
Plaster Molding |
Permanent Mold |
Die Casting |
“Graphite” Permanent Mold |
Semi-Solid casting |
Investment (Lost Wax) Castings |
| Common Alloys |
aluminum, zinc, magnesium |
Any Castable alloy |
any castable alloy |
Aluminum, Zinc,Magnesium |
Aluminum, Zinc, Brass |
Aluminum A380, A413, A360, A383 Zinc #3, #7, #5 ZA8 Magnesium AZ91D |
Aluminum and Zinc |
Aluminum A356 357 355 319 A390 380 |
any castable alloy |
| Typical Size Range Equipment dependent |
oz. -200 lbs. |
no limitation- equipment dependent |
50 – 200 lbs. |
Oz.- 150lbs |
oz. – 100 lbs. |
oz. – 30 lbs. |
oz. – 10 lbs. |
Oz-15lbs |
oz. – 20 lbs. |
| Tolerances approximations only Equipment and process control dependent |
±.020″ 0 to 10″, add ±.001″/in., thereafter. Add minimum of .010″ across the Parting line and for cored features. |
Irons, Aluminum, brass +/- 1/32”/ft Steels +/- 1/16”/ft |
±.020″ 0 to 10″, add ±.001″/in., thereafter. Add minimum of .010″ across the parting line and for cored features. |
±.010″ 0 to 8″, add ±.0017′, thereafter. Add minimum of .005″ across the parting line and for cored |
±.015″/in. 0 to 1″, add ±.002″/in. thereafter. Add ±.010″ to .030″ across the parting line. |
Typical +/-.0025 to +/-.010 Add ±.015″ across the parting Line. |
Typical ±.005″ Add ±.002″ across the parting line. |
Typical +/-.0025 to +/-.010 Add ±.015″ across the parting Line. |
±.003″to 1/4″ ±.004″to 1/2″ ±.005″to 1″, then add ±.003″/in. |
| Flatness |
Within .020″ (geometry dependent) |
All alloys .30-50” linear ft. (geometry dependent) |
Within .030″ (geometry dependent) |
Within .010″ (geometry dependent) |
Within .015″ (geometry dependent) |
.008” up to 3” and .003”/ in after |
.008” up to 3” and .003”/ in after |
.008” up to 3” and .003”/ in after |
Within .015″ (geometry dependent) |
| Surface Finish |
125-175 RMS, except on cored areas. |
500RMS typical |
120-175 RMS, except on cored areas. |
63-125 RMS , |
150-300 RMS |
32-63 RMS |
25 RMS or better |
32-63 RMS |
63-125 RMS |
| Minimum Draft Required |
Zero to 3° |
1° to 3° |
1/2° to 3° |
Zero to 2° |
2° to4° |
1/2° to 3° |
1° to 2° |
1/2° to 3° |
None |
| Minimum Wall Section |
Typical:.140″-.187″Minimum:.080″ (geometry dependent) |
1/4”-1/2” depending on size and gating options |
Typical:.187″-.500″Minimum:.150″ (geometry Dependent) |
Typical:.100″ -.187″Minimum:.040″(geometry dependent) |
Typical:.187″ |
.030″ in zinc and Magnesium .060” Aluminum |
.100″ |
.060”-.100” |
.060″ |
| Typical Quantities |
All |
All |
All |
<2,000 |
>500 |
>2500 |
500-1500 – |
>2500 |
<1,000 |
| Typical Tooling Price (N.R.E.) |
$500 – $5000 |
$500-$25000 Core box, equipment and volume dependent |
$500-$5000 Core box(s),and equipment dependent |
$3K – 15K |
$3K – 15K |
$5K – 250K |
$1.5K – 5.5K |
$5K – 250K |
$500-10K |
| Nominal Lead Times |
Samples: 1-6 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 4-8 weeks |
Samples: 4-6 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 4-10 weeks |
Samples: 2-8 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 6-14 weeks |
Samples: 2-4 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 1-5 weeks |
Samples: 10-16 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 4-10 weeks |
Samples: 12-22 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 2-8 weeks |
Samples: 3-6 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 2-6 weeks |
Samples: 8-16 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 4-8 weeks |
Samples: 8-12 weeks (depending on complexity) Production: 10-14 weeks |
