Custom Metal Casting Services

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Metal casting is the process in which molten metal is poured into a hollow cavity mold and later cooled to form a solidified part. Casting is ideal for creating detailed parts that meet exacting specifications. Depending on the method you choose, metal casting can allow for a very high production rate with little secondary machining required. Our domestic and global partners work with all types of metals to produce castings using methods such as die casting, investment casting, permanent mold casting, and sand casting.

For over twelve years, the Googletech foundry has been providing custom metal casting services for a variety of industries and project types. Our in-house mold-making, heat treatment, and precision casting services bring experience and quality to every project.

If you’re searching for the right partner for your high-volume metal casting project, the Googletech is a metal casting foundry partner you can trust. We can help you produce the perfect metal parts and components with a proven casting process. During mold making, the molten metal is poured and not forcibly injected, mold casting, delivering the best lead times and costs.

Our product capabilities range from prototyping custom projects to large run automotive, aerospace, and railway projects.

Learn more about investment casting, aluminum die casting, mold making, or request a quote for your project online:

Custom Casting Considerations

Factors to consider for casting services include:

• Quantity of parts/production run size

  • Tooling factors into time and cost for production runs. Advantages and disadvantages for each casting method can make choosing the best type of casting process difficult

  • Determining your production run size can help connect you with the right foundry. Foundries often specialize in high-volume or low-volume production projects

• Custom requirements and industry standards

  • Let us connect you with casting manufacturers who understand industry standards and compliance for your casting application

• Casting design

  • Work with vetted casting manufacturers who have the knowledge and expertise to design a custom casting that meets your specifications (with a cost-effective casting mold).

• Casting material

  • The type of materialyou choose for your casting project will depend on your project requirements

  • Common materials used for metal castings include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, magnesium, nickel, and a wide range of alloys

  • We can connect you with a manufacturer to meet all your material requirements

Precision Metal Casting Methods

There are several methods for molding metal through casting. The method you choose depends on the volume, complexity, and cost goals of your project. Googletech can help accelerate your production process by connecting you with a manufacturer who provides the right type of casting for your project, along with a full complement of finishing services, such as drilling holes, painting, polishing, and buffing.

Die Casting

Die castingis a four-step process that involves forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity, resulting in an accurate and highly repeatable casting method.

Investment Casting

Investment castingis one of the oldest known metal-forming methods. In this process, the mold is formed around a wax pattern that is burned away when the molten metal is poured in.

Permanent Mold Casting

Permanent mold castinguses reusable graphite molds that are ideal for manufacturing high-precision components. Because they can withstand indefinite use, graphite molds can produce castings with accuracy, again and again.

Sand Casting

There are several types of sand casting, including green sand casting, skin-dried sand casting, dry sand casting and no-bake sand casting. Each of these options offers a different set of advantages.

Metal Casting Process Comparison Chart

Casting Materials

Carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper

DetailsMetals

Investment Casting

• Casting Tolerance
  ISO 2768-mK, VDG P690 D1-D2

• Casting Roughness
  Ra1.6 – Ra3.2

• Casting Weight
  0.005kg – 50kg

• Material Standard
  GB, ASTM, AISI

Investment Casting Process for Metal Casting

Every investment casting process begins with a pattern produced from wax, plastic, or 3D printing filament and moves to mold preparation, wax injection, dewaxing, pouring, machining, and then testing. Our metal casting services include an in-house mold making facility, in-house machining, and top-quality machinery to deliver quality metal castings to all of our clients.

Die Casting Types Available from Googletech

Googletech partners with die casters that utilize the latest die casting machines and technology to deliver high-quality, on-demand parts to a wide variety of industries. Our offering focuses on the two leading types of die casting: hot chamber casting and cold chamber casting. Both types can produce parts with complex geometry, close tolerances, and robust mechanical properties.

Hot Chamber Die Casting

Also known as gooseneck casting, the hot chamber die casting process is the most popular die casting process. It is optimal for working with lower melting point alloys such as zinc, magnesium, and lead. A holding pot is filled with metal and heated with hot chamber die casting until molten by an attached or built-in furnace. A feature of the hot chamber system referred to as the gooseneck forms a holding chamber within the pot and a nozzle-like pathway that connects to the injection cavity of the fixed half of the die. A plunger that sits above the chamber allows it to fill with molten metal from the holding pot. When the chamber is loaded, the plunger lowers and forces molten material up the gooseneck into the die cavity. The mold is held together under pressure while the metal cools and solidifies in the mold. Once the metal is cool enough, the dies open, and the casted piece ejects via ejector pins.

Cold Chamber Die Casting

With the cold chamber die casting process, the chamber remains at room temperature and does not have a holding pot of molten metal. Metal is melted in a separate furnace and deposited into the shot chamber through a pouring hole by hand with a ladle. In cold chamber die casting, the mold is connected directly to the shot chamber and does not utilize a plunger system. Instead, a ram forces molten metal into the mold and held under high pressure while the metal solidifies. This type of die casting is suitable for comparatively higher melting temperature materials such as aluminum.

Die Cast Metal Materials

Several different metal materials are available to choose from when manufacturing using die casting. The material you choose will depend on your intended use for the product. For instance, cast aluminum parts are common in aerospace or automotive applications where corrosion resistance and weight reduction are essential factors. You can learn more about the main types of die casting materials we offer in the sections below. If you have a specific material request, just let us know!

Aluminum Die Casting

Aluminum alloys are the most widely used for die cast parts. Aluminum die casting suppliers benefit from the total recyclability of the material and its ease of use. Due to the comparatively higher melting point, aluminum die casting may require a cold chamber casting process. Engineers use cast aluminum parts primarily for their great strength to weight ratios, dimensional stability, and diverse finishing options. Some of the other common characteristics of cast aluminum alloys are:

• Withstand high operating temperatures

• Corrosion Resistance

• Good stiffness

• High thermal and electrical conductivity

Engineers and designers can choose from a wide range of alloys for their aluminum casting parts. Googletech offers the most popular aluminum die casting alloys, including:

• A360.0

• A380.0

• A383.0 (ADC12)

• A413.0

Zinc Die Casting

Zinc is the easiest to cast material among the die casting metals and is typically used in hot chamber processes. Molten zinc has exceptional casting fluidity and a lower melting point. Its strength and stiffness allow it to produce parts with thinner walls and highly detailed features and maintain tight tolerances. The low melting point of die casting zinc alloys means the die casted parts cool off and solidify more quickly, which results in the fastest production rates of the die casting materials. Zinc is an all-around well-performing material due to its balance of mechanical and physical characteristics, which include:

• Impact strength

• High hardness

• Great stability

• High-quality surface finish and easily plated

• Low melting point

Googletech offers the most popular types of Zamak and ZA die casting zinc alloys. More specifically, those alloys include:

• Zamak 2 (ZA-2)

• Zamak 3 (ZA-3)

Available Die Casting Finishes

Standard (As-Cast)

Zinc and aluminum zinc parts can be left as-cast and retain reasonable corrosion resistance. Aluminum parts must be coated to achieve corrosion resistance. Cast parts are typically broken away from the casting sprue, leaving rough marks at the gate locations. Most castings will also have visible marks left by the ejector pins. The surface finish for as-cast zinc alloys is commonly 16-64 microinch Ra.

Bead Blasted

The part surface is left with a smooth, matte appearance.

Anodized (Type II Or Type III)

Aluminum is typically anodized. Type II anodizing creates a corrosion-resistant oxide finish. Although suppliers can anodize parts in different colors, the surface of a die cast part does not facilitate a cosmetic finish with anodizing. Type III is a thicker finish and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the corrosion resistance seen with Type II. Anodized coatings are not electrically conductive.

Powder Coating

All die cast parts can be powder coated. This is a process where powdered paint is electrostatically sprayed onto a part, then baked in an oven. Powder coating creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard wet painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic.

Wet Painting

All die cast parts can be wet painted in a wide variety of paint formulations and colors.

Plating

Die cast parts can be plated with electroless nickel, nickel, brass, tin, chrome, chromate, Teflon, silver and gold.

Chemical Film

Suppliers can apply a chromate conversion coat to protect aluminum from corrosion and improve the adhesion of paints and primers. Chemical film conversion coatings are electrically conductive.

Media Tumbled

Die cast materials are subjected to vibratory media tumbling to remove sharp edged and smooth surfaces.

Custom

Don't see the finish you need? Submit an RFQ and our partner shops will look into a finishing process for you.

Applications of Die Casting

The versatility and high production potential of die casting enable it for various applications and industries. Die casting products that are small to medium in size with complex features are typically well suited for the process. Examples include consumer and industrial products, automotive parts, aerospace components, and parts for medical devices. Die casting products is a great option when you need high-volume metal parts that may be too large for similar high-volume processes such as Metal Injection Molding (MIM).

• Aerospace & Automotive Components

• Connector Housings

• Pumps and Plumbing Fixtures

• Outdoor lighting

• Gears

• Appliances and Lighting

Die Casting Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Die Casting

Complex Geometry

Die casting can reliably produce custom die cast parts with thin walls and challenging geometry that is durable and dimensionally stable.

Strength

Metal die castings are typically stronger than plastic injection molded parts and more resistant to high temperatures. Metals such as aluminum offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios.

Precision

Die casting offers typical tolerances ranging from +/-0.003″ – 0.005″ per inch but can go as tight as +/- .001” depending on your specifications, part geometry, and material.

Custom Finishes

Metal finishers can produce cast parts with smooth or textured surfaces, paints, and plating finishes. Finishes can protect from corrosion and improve cosmetic appearance.

Disadvantages of Die Casting

Tooling Cost

While the per piece cost of die cast parts is relatively low, the tooling dies and maintenance costs can require a high initial investment.

Not for Low Quantities

Due to the higher upfront tooling costs, die casting is not economical for low-volume runs. We recommend only considering die casting for quantities greater than 1000.

Lead Times

Before production, many steps must be accomplished first, often taking multiple weeks to execute. These steps include addressing DFM concerns, tool design, manufacturing the tools, and creating samples. The upfront checks and validations make die casting one of the slower manufacturing processes to ramp up compared to others.

Our team of experts will be working with you closely throughout the process and offer suggestions and options to provide you with the best possible turnaround while working to meet your unique needs.

Why Choose Googletech for Online Die Casting Services?

Endless Options

Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

Easy to Use

Get started with our easy-to-use platform and let our experts take care of managing the project from locating the right manufacturing partner to delivery logistics.

Vetted Network

We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.

Work with Offshore Casting Manufacturers

If keeping costs low is a high priority for your project, we can help you find an offshore casting manufacturer who can deliver high-quality parts for a fraction of the cost. Vetting can be a time consuming process. Googletech makes it easy! We’ve developed 30 year relationships with vendors all across China, ensuring our customers are able to keep their production costs low without having compromise on quality. Additional benefits of offshore manufacturing include:

• High volume production runs

• Lower tooling and finishing costs

• Specialized capabilities

• Just-in-time logistics

Work with Casting Manufacturers in the US

If a swift turnaround time and clear communication with the manufacturer is your number one priority, we can find a domestic manufacturer who offers the reliable and design-friendly custom casting services you’re looking for. Depending on your project requirements, we can partner you with vendors who maintain all necessary ISO, medical, automotive, and/or aerospace certifications. Additional benefits of domestic manufacturing include:

• Cross-sell opportunities

• Direct communication with design engineers

• Faster fulfillment times

• Reduced shipping costs

Your Trusted Sourcing Partner for Custom Metal Castings

Get the high-performance metal parts you need with the quality custom metal casting methods you want. Let us connect you with an experienced, vetted casting manufacturer for your next metal casting project. Join the network of companies around the country who rely on Googletech to find the best casting solution for their business needs. Submit a request today or contact us to begin discussing your project requirements.