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Glossary of Die Casting Terms
(courtesy NADCA)A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Die, Trim. A die, usually in a power press, that cuts the runners,
overflows, and flash off the die casting.
Die, Unit. A type of die construction that allows quick changing of
the cavity blocks in the holder or die block. This usually can be
performed while the die is still in the machine.
Dimension, Critical. A dimension on a part that must be held
within the specified tolerance for the part to function in its
application.
Draft. A slight angle placed on surfaces that would otherwise be
parallel to the direction in which the die opens. The draft allows that
surface to move away from the cavity wall as the casting is
removed from the die.
Eject. To push the solidified casting out of the cavity of the die
casting die.
Ejector. A pin or mechanism that pushes the solidified die casting
out of the die.
Flash. A thin web or fin of metal on a casting which occurs at die
parting, air vents, and around movable cores. This excess metal is
due to the necessary working and operating clearances in a die.
Gate. A thin passage for molten metal which connects the runner to
the die cavity. Also, the entire ejected content of a die, including the
castings, gates, runners, biscuit (or spue), and flash.
H-13 Steel. An air hardening hot work tool steel of fine grain
structure and high cleanliness that is exclusively used for making
die casting dies for casting aluminum and zinc alloys.
Hole, Cored. In a die casting, any hole that is formed by a core in
the die casting die. A cored hole is distinguished from a hole that is
added after the casting has been made (as by drilling).
Hot Chamber Machine. A die casting machine that has the molten
metal pressure chamber immersed in the molten metal in
the holing furnace.The advantage of the hot chamber machine
is that the pressure chamber refills naturally after each
shot is made.
Injection. The process of forcing molten metal into die
casting die.
Insert, Cast-In. A piece of material, usually metal, which is
placed in a die and becomes an integral part of the die
casting after molten metal is cast around it.
Metal Saver. A shape made on the cavity of a die casting for the
sole purpose of displacing unnecessary die casting alloy from the
casting. The shape placed on the casting by the metal saver is not
required for the function of the casting.
Overflow. A small reservoir cavity added to the exterior of the die
cavity (on a parting line) to receive impure or cold metal during
cavity fill. Also used to generate added die heat in the local area.
Parting Line. A line-like mark around a die casting where the two
halves of the die came together.
Platen. A large thick flat steel plate that is a major part of a
diecasting machine frame.
Porosity. Any void within a die casting that was not intentionally created. This includes such voids that are open to the surface of the casting as well as those that are completely encased within the casting.