Process | Precision Sand Castings | Rubber Plaster Molding | Investment (Lost Wax) Castings | Permanent Mold | Graphite Permanent Mold | Die Casting | V-Process Castings |
Typical Size Range | oz.-100 lbs. | oz.-30 lbs. | oz.-20 lbs. | oz.-100 lbs. | oz.-10 lbs. | oz.-30 lbs. | Up to 150 lbs. |
Tolerances | ±.020" to 10", then add ±.001"/", thereafter. | ±.010" to 8", then add ±.001"/", thereafter. | ±.003" to 1/4" ?004" to 1/2" ±.005" to 3", then add ?003"/". | ±.015"/" to 1", then add ±.002"/". | ±.005" Add ±.002" across the parting line. | ±.002"/" Add ±.015" across the parting line. | ±.02" to 6", then add ±.002"/" Add ±.02" across the parting line. |
Add minimum of .010 " across the parting line and for cored features. | Add minimum of .005" across the parting line and for cored features. | Add ±.010" to .030" across the parting line. | |||||
Flatness | Within .015" | Within .010" | Within .015" | ||||
(geometry dependent) | (geometry dependent) | (geometry dependent) | |||||
Surface Finish | 120-175 RMS, except on cored areas. | 63-125 RMS | 63-125 RMS | 150-300 RMS | 25 RMS or better | 32-63 RMS | 125-150 RMS |
Minimum Draft Required | 1/2° to 3° | 1/2° to 2° | None | 2° to 4° | 1° to 2° | 1° to 3° | None |
Minimum Wall Section | Typical: .140"-.187" Minimum:�.080" (geometry dependent) | Typical: .100" -.187" Minimum:�.040" (geometry dependent) | .060" | .187" | .100" | .030" to .060" | .125" |
Typical Quantities | All | <2,000 | <1,000 | 500 | 500-1500 | 2,500 | All |
Typical Tooling Price (N.R.E.) | $800 - 4K | $3K - 15K | $3K - 10K | $5K - 15K | $1.5K - 5.5K | $5K - 250K | $3K - 6K |
Nominal Lead Times | Samples: 1 - 4 wks. Production: 1 - 5 wks. after�approval. | Samples: 2 - 4 wks. Production: 1 - 5 wks. after�approval. | Samples:2 - 4 wks. Production: 5 - 12 wks. after�approval. | Samples: 8 - 20 wks. Production: 10 - 12 wks. after�approval | Samples: 3 - 6 wks. Production: 2 - 4 wks. after�approval. Lifetime use. | Samples: 12 - 26 wks. Production: 8 - 14 wks. after�approval. | Samples: 2 - 6 wks. Production: 2 - 6 wks. after�approval. |